Boys Day yay!

[tikistitch]

For the last couple years, Tokyo Dizzyland has issued a Stitch-themed Boys Day knick-knack, and this year's model is awfully cute. Unfortunately, we don't know as much about Kodomo no hi as we do Hinamatsuri, due to there being no dollies involved.





But, we like boys too (in fact we married a boy, which has worked out well), so in the interest of equal time, we'll try to relate some Boys Day babble.



Mickey, in traditional dress, is riding a carp. Usually, Japanese families would put out a little figure of Kintarou riding a carp. They also put out samurai helmets, which is kind of awesome.



Here's an image of Kintarou avec carp we found on The Google. Kintarou is kind of a general folk hero, very useful for fighting monsters and demons, if you've got some bugging you.



It looks like Stitch has hitched a ride. Boys Day isn't until May, by the way, but this little ceramic has been sitting out on the table for a while, so we decided to snap some photos.

Comments

[sarahpolk.livejournal.com]

Wikipedia has a relatively good description.

Growing up in Japan I always felt kind of bad for the boys because the girls kind of usurped their day into a generic day for kids, while we still got to keep our own Hinamatsuri girl's day.

There's a LOT of symbolism though... mostly having to do with (what I NOW know to be) virility. Yeah yeah, strength and courage and all that. But the deal is with crap swimming "upriver" or "against the tide" is really kind of a symbol for sperm, and the kabuto helmet? It's very phallic, that.

They also fly carp banners so you can tell who in your neighborhood had young sons.

[kissubang.livejournal.com]

That model is incredibly cute! I just love Mickey :)

[nitasee.livejournal.com]

That's utterly adorable, but still my favourite Stitch Boy's Day figure was the one with Stitch trying on the helmet. I still want that one!