Bentolicious #094
Kodomo no hi (Children's Day in Japan) fall on 5th of May and is one of the most popular national holidays in Japan. Kodomo no hi actually started long ago as Tango no Sekku (Boy's Day), a holiday celebrating the male children. After World War II it was changed to celebrate the health and growth of all children, in hopes of uplifting the spirits of Japan. Many of the traditions and decorations related to Children's Day still reflect those of Boy's Day. To bring good fortune to the boys in home, koinobori (colorful carp streamers) are flown outside of housed to wish them luck for the future. Koinobori are believed to be strong, spirited fish that are known for their determination in fighting up streams and through powerful waterfalls. Families also display kabuto (samurai helmet) and samurai dolls representing Kintaro, Momotaro and others that symbolize courage. Another tradition is the offering of kashiwa-mochi, a rice cake stuffed with bean paste and wrapped in an oak leaf, which is also a symbol of strength. Iris flowers also bloom during this time, and are place in the home to ward off evil.
(Taken from : - JCCCNC -)

Children's Day celebrated in Indonesia on 23 July but we don't celebrate the event as big as in Japan. Some schools may have some special event on that day to celebrate but usually just a small one. My kids were excited last night when I asked them to help me make the kabuto origami that you can see in the background. I also prepared one for today's bento from aluminum foil paper.

Inside the box : rice, strawberries, fish fillet cooked with mango sauce, brusell sprouts & braise peanuts cooked in sweet sauce, carrots, chikuwa, asparagus, and lemon.

44 comments:

Great origami job, hehe! Love the cute boy, and the chikuwa fish are such a great idea on their asparagus pole. Happy Children's day to A and A!

@sherimiya : Thanks a lot Sheri! Happy Children's Day too to K and L :D

That was really interesting reading all of that. The little fish are awesome!

@Angi : Surprised to see you online at this time hehehe ... Always nice to have your comment. Thanks a lot Angi :)

Whoaaa~ one of the best bentos ever!!! I looove the fish and the origami-helmet, so many details and so colorful! Charaben-Master!!! *0*

wow...wow..wow...what a cute boy...and the fish, God you are so creative...aku nggak akan kepikiran bikin kaya gitu mbak...wah,bentar lagi bento ke 100 nih...detik-detik mencapai rekor...hehehe

Lia, you are so creative and can make the ordinary extraordinary! Beautiful Boy's Day Bento! :D

I think kodomo no hi is a nice festival. In Germany we don't have a day where the children were celebrated. But I know a little japanese kid and his family, and I'm sure they will celebrate it ^-^ Sometimes there is an official kodomo no hi celebration in our Japanese Garden, but I don't know if there is one this year, too.

Your bento is really cute! I love the koinobori the most ^-^ Great way to make them.
Two weeks ago I was also busy with making kabuto. But large ones, so the children in kindergarten could wear them ;)

@Token : Thanks a lot Token for your very sweet comment! Don't call me Charaben-Master ... hahaha ... I feel scare with that big title. I just enjoy doing bento very much and love to share it with all of you :D

@purple angel : Thanks a lot Sysyl! So sweet of you ... iya yah dah mau 100 tp belum apa2 deh dibanding ama yg udah jago2 dan lebih dari 100 hehehe :)

Now I know Japan celebrates Children's Day on 5 May and Indonesia 23 Jul. Singapore is 1 Oct. I like the cute boy and the origami hat!

@Susan Yuen : Thanks a lot Susan! Always so sweet and kind with your comment. Feel grateful to have all your comments here :)

@Lil'chan : Thanks a lot Lil'chan! Oh yeah the kids in kindergarten must be really enjoyed and had fun with the kabuto on their head :)

Happy Kodomo No Hi! Omigod! Everything was well prepared and presented through this bento :D. Your kids did a very great job with the kabuto origami. And those koinobori chikuwa *alamaaaaaak* keren abiz idenya :D. Sepuluh jempol kali ini hehehe :D

Cute! And you've inspired me to do some origami today :)

May 5th is a national holiday here too: celebrating our freedom!

@noobcook : Now I know too that Singapore celebrates it on 1 Oct. Thanks a lot Wiffy for your kind comment :)

@tatabonita : Thanks a lot Tata! Huahaha ... ama jempol kaki donk :D

@gnoegnoe : Thanks a lot Gnoe! Hope you have a great holiday :)

So creative and unusual! What a treat! :D

@Asfora : Thanks a lot Asfora :)

OMG this is a beautiful bento!!! I love the carp streamers, so expertly done! Happy Children's Day!

Hey, nice Kodomo no hi bento! So creative of you to use aluminium foil paper to make the kabuto origami! :)

The carp streamers on the asparagus is so clever! Great box and inspiring as usual. :)

Kawaii nei! Yes, our Kodomo no hi fall on 1st Oct and there is school holiday for primary school only. The cute boy looks so handsome with that kabuto on it. Very creative as always, Lia.

@Lyndsey : Thanks a lot Lyndsey!

@Anncoo : Thanks a lot Ann!

@Kuusou : Thanks a lot Kuusou!

@Kids Dream Work : Thanks a lot Ai Ping! Can't put origami paper with the food so the choice only aluminum foil paper or wax paper hehehe ;)

Very nice bento !! I haven't tried making bento, but I should! they're so cute!

@Swee San : Thanks a lot Swee San! Please try it sometimes, it sure will be a lot of fun :)

my gosh..those fish! arent they cute lil things??
and that boy's hair..the color..love it!
Lia, when u made one beautiful bento before..i thot u can't top that..but, again..another masterpiece of yours..Love this one..my Fave!

@Deby Suwito : Thanks a lot Deby for your sweet comment! Make me smile when read it :)

This is a nice bento for celebration. I love the koinobori so much, so detail and lovely. And of course the cutey little boy too..^^

@Rachel Hei : Thanks a lot Rachel!

Hello Lia, I really don't know what to say. You are extreme MARVELLOUS!

i love that boy with his cute origami.

Mbak, u always makes perfectly details on ur bento. Honestly, i'm jealous with ur talent, meanwhile, i learn many things of ur bento & ur skill.

Happy Kodomo no hi !!

omgosh.... cute cute cute... i couln't never eat them if u make it for me,haha...

xo

@Funn's : Thanks a lot Funn for your nice words! Hope I can keep learning ;)

@The Bargowo : Thanks a lot Menoq for your nice comment! Keep learning and keep making it ... I'm sure you will make a lot of perfect bento too soon :) Semangat!!

@aphrodita wibowo : Thanks a lot Dita! I will feel sad if I make it for you and you don't eat it hehehe ... thanks for visiting my blog :)

eek, the paper (and foil) hats are so cute and precisely folded! wonderful to use the asparagus stalk as the pole for the carp streamers, and i love that you haven't sacrificed tasty food to fit this adorable theme!

@megan : Always so kind with your comment. Your comment encourages me a lot to learn more in bento making. Thanks a lot Megan :)

This is adorable!!! I love that you made koinobori out of chikuwa. How fitting. Hehe :) Very creative.

@lovefordinner : Thanks a lot for your kind words!