“Tucsonans will honor children of all ages as they celebrate the Japanese holiday of Children’s Day on May 2 at Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, Southern Arizona’s only authentic Japanese garden.  Originally a festival to wish for the health and happiness of boys, Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day, as it is now called, honors all children with traditional decorations and activities.  The festival at Yume Japanese Gardens will take place from 1 to 4:30 pm.  All activities are included with paid admission to the Gardens.

 Customarily held on May 5^th in Japan, families fly carp streamers, or koinobori, outside their house as the carp is a symbol of strength, determination, vigor, and success.  Figurines of Japanese warriors and heroes are set up inside the house along with representations of samurai helmets to inspire strength and bravery.  Children eat special foods, such as kashiwa mochi—rice cakes stuffed with bean paste and wrapped in oak leaves—and chimaki—dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.  Special events for children and families are also held throughout the country.

 The annual celebration at Yume Japanese Gardens offers families the beautiful setting of a Japanese garden to rejoice in the individual strengths of children and wish for their continued happiness.  This year the celebration will feature yukata for children to wear, goldfish netting, the making of traditional Japanese kites, lessons in origami, Japanese toys, and a performance by a children’s drumming group.”

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Yume Japanese Gardens (www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org) highlights classical Japanese landscape design. A non-profit organization founded in 2013, it includes a stone Zen garden, koi pond, dry river, Japanese house, and fountains. The Gardens are located at 2130 North Alvernon Way, one block south of the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Contact the Gardens at520.332.2928 or yume.gardens@gmail.com.