In collaboration with local non-profit organization, Japanese American Families for Justice we are hosting a Children’s Day Pop-Up event in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month! We will have various local AAPI vendors(food, gifts, art + more), a Taiko drum performance by Kristy Aki Oshiro, reading by Maggie Tokuda-Hall of Love in the Library, and an Arts & Crafts activity hosted by JAF4J!

Children’s Day (“Kodomo no Hi”)is a national Japanese holiday celebrated yearly on May 5th that brings families together to celebrate the healthy growth and happiness of children.

Traditionally this holiday is celebrated by displaying Koinobori, a carp-shaped windsock/or streamer (which started because of the Chinese legend that a carp that swims upstream becomes a dragon and flies to Heaven) which resembles a carp swimming in the wind. Typically a black-colored carp represents the father, a red or pink represents the mother, and a blue, green or sometimes orange represents each child. Miniature Japanese armor and helmets are also sometimes displayed to ward off evil spirits. Mochi cakes and sweet sticky rice filled wrapped in an iris bamboo leaf is also traditionally served during the celebration.

Other Asian cultures also celebrate “Children’s Day”, like Korea, Vietnam, Philippines and many more!

We hope you can join us!

This is a FREE event!

1pm- Taiko drum performance

2pm- Read-a-loud