Casual — to friend
Cultural · Seasonal
五月五日は端午の節句で、鯉のぼりを上げて柏餅やちまきを食べるんだよ。 — May 5th is Tango no Sekku—we raise carp streamers and eat kashiwa-mochi and chimaki. (Cultural · Seasonal, Casual — to friend, JLPT N4)
You
五月五日は端午の節句で、鯉のぼりを上げて柏餅やちまきを食べるんだよ。
ごがついつかはたんごのせっくで、こいのぼりをあげてかしわもちやちまきをたべるんだよ。
May 5th is Tango no Sekku—we raise carp streamers and eat kashiwa-mochi and chimaki.
Romaji: Gogatsu itsuka wa Tango no Sekku de, koinobori wo agete kashiwa-mochi ya chimaki wo taberu n da yo. / Reply Romaji: Koinobori, otoko no ko ga iru ie de ageru no?
Reply
鯉のぼり、男の子がいる家で上げるの？
こいのぼり、おとこのこがいるいえであげるの？
Are koinobori raised at houses with boys?
Gesture & etiquette
If explaining outdoors, point upward at any visible koinobori (with open palm, not finger). Mime swimming-upstream with one hand to convey the carp's significance. Smile warmly—this is a joyful family holiday, not a solemn one.
Tango no Sekku (May 5th) celebrates boys' health and growth. Carp streamers (koinobori) symbolize strength—carp swim upstream against currents. Kashiwa-mochi (mochi wrapped in oak leaf) represents lineage continuity (oak doesn't shed old leaves until new ones grow). Chimaki (sweet rice in bamboo leaf) is the Kansai equivalent. Now officially 'Children's Day' covering all kids.