History behind Boy's FestivalFollow

(Posted it up on the main forum, but also posting it here for those that don't read the main.)

What EXACTLY is the Festival of Swords?

The moogles make a reference to the Festival of
Boys...

Intrigued, I looked into it, and asked my super-sweet
friend Kagome and her sister Kikyo (yes, real names)
about it.

Apparently...the festival of boys, called "Tango No
Sekku" (tahn-goh noh seh-koo), comes out of a
traditional Japanese legend, the story of Kintaro and
the Hakone Mountains.

It is said that a boy named Kintaro was born in the
Hakone district a long time ago, and even during his
childhood had incredible stength, that would for
example allow him to wrestle with bears.

Later on in his life, Kintaro went to Kyoto (the
capital city of Japan then before Tokyo). While he was
there, he destroyed a criminal gang and its boss that
was thought to be unbeatable. Kintaro's act saved the
people of Kyoto from living their lives in fear.

Also according to ancient legend, Kintaro stood beside
a river, watching some fishermen. Suddenly, he saw a
man-eating carp fish swimming toward the men. The
fishermen didn't notice the carp, so Kintaro jumped
into the river and he fought with the fish to protect
the fishermen. Kintaro eventually won, and killed the
carp.

Eventually, over time, Kintaro became a famous general
of the Japanese army.

Today in Japan, a display is arranged in the tokonoma
(alcove) of Japanese homes. In this display are often
miniature helmets, suits of armor, a sword, a bow and
arrow, silk banners bearing the family crest, Kintaro
dolls, Shoki dolls (an person believed to protect
people from devils) and Momotaro dolls (a man who
struck down a giant).

Outside, windsocks of carp fish of different sizes are
hung. The biggest wind sock represents the oldest son
and the smallest represents the youngest son. The
carps sembolize strength, bravery, and determination.

During the festival, food such as Chimaki (sweet rice
dumplings wrapped in bamboo or iris leaves) and
Kashiwa-Mochi (rice cakes with sweet beanpaste wrapped
up in oak leaves) are served.

The Japanese Iris, the Shobu (which looks like a
sword) is associated with the festival also. On May
fifth, the Japanese for the festival will take the
Shobu leaves and place them into the hot water baths,
in the belief that it is a prophylactic against all
sorts of illnesses. Public baths, as a consequence,
open thier doors early on this day. Some people also
put these leaves on the eves of thier houses as a way
to ward off evil spirits or fire.

Of imporatance to note though, is that today, the term
"Boy's Festival" has become "Children's Day", though
the same practices are followed.

I hope this explains the holiday!!^.^

Just another reason to put my shout filter back on...

LMAO funny stuff.

lol i thought this was gonna be a michael jackson joke at first :) nice find!