五月人形(ごがつにんぎょう)

Decorative figures displayed in homes for 端午(たんご)の節句(せっく) (Boys' Day, May 5th), now officially 子(こ)どもの日(ひ) (Children's Day). Traditionally, families with boys display these figures along with 鯉(こい)のぼり (carp streamers) to wish their sons healthy growth, strength, and success.

Types

• 鎧(よろい)兜(かぶと)飾(かざ)り: armor and helmet display — the most traditional type
• 武者人形(むしゃにんぎょう): warrior dolls — depicting famous warriors like 金太郎(きんたろう) or 武蔵坊弁慶(むさしぼうべんけい)
• 兜(かぶと)飾(かざ)り: helmet display — a compact option popular in modern apartments

Common collocations

• 五月人形(ごがつにんぎょう)を飾(かざ)る: to display Boys' Day dolls
• 五月人形(ごがつにんぎょう)を片付(かたづ)ける: to put away Boys' Day dolls
• 五月人形(ごがつにんぎょう)を贈(おく)る: to give Boys' Day dolls as a gift

Cultural note

Traditionally purchased by the maternal grandparents for their grandson's first Boys' Day. Like 雛人形(ひなにんぎょう) (Girls' Day dolls) for March 3rd, these are an important seasonal tradition. They are typically displayed from mid-April through early May.

Related words

• 雛人形(ひなにんぎょう): Girls' Day dolls — displayed for 雛祭(ひなまつ)り on March 3rd
• 鯉(こい)のぼり: carp streamers — another symbol of Boys' Day
• 端午(たんご)の節句(せっく): Boys' Day festival (May 5th)
• 子(こ)どもの日(ひ): Children's Day — the official national holiday name