May 5th.
Today is Rikka, the first day of summer on the traditional Japanese calendar, and also Children’s Day.
Though there’s still a trace of spring’s cool air, you can begin to feel summer in the scent of the wind and the colors of the sky.
In many homes, carp streamers dance in the sky, and sweet rice cakes are enjoyed.
But I believe this day is not only for children.
At the Threshold of the Seasons
Spring often passes in a blur — new school terms, new routines, new environments.
Rikka quietly signals the end of that busyness.
It’s not just a seasonal marker, but a moment to pause, to take a breath, and gently shift our rhythm toward summer.
Opening the window and listening to the wind, we might notice how nature invites us to slow down.
Who Is Children’s Day For?
We often think of Children’s Day as a celebration for young ones.
And that’s certainly true — but perhaps not the whole story.
Within each of us, there’s still a small child.
The one who laughed freely, chased butterflies, asked endless questions.
That child still lives in our hearts, waiting patiently behind layers of responsibility and grown-up concerns.
Say Hello to Your Inner Child
Today, take a moment of stillness and gently speak to the child inside you.
“Hey, how have you been?”
“What made you smile lately?”
These quiet questions can bring back the spark of joy you once knew — reminding you that playfulness, curiosity, and wonder were never lost, just resting.
Why Rikka and Children’s Day Fall Together
Rikka welcomes the vibrant energy of early summer.
Children’s Day celebrates growth, vitality, and the promise of the future.
The fact that they share a date feels meaningful.
It’s a gentle reminder from nature to look not just outward, but inward — to nurture your own quiet growth, too.
Summer Suits the Child in You
Summer is a season of freedom and openness.
Even adults find themselves laughing more, relaxing more.
Icy treats, the hum of cicadas, wind chimes swaying in the breeze — these little things stir something deep inside us.
At the entrance to summer, noticing your inner child may be the first step toward a season lived with ease and warmth.
May Your Inner Child Smile Today
While festivals and outings are lovely, there’s something special about spending a quiet moment with your heart.
Let your shoulders relax.
Enjoy your favorite childhood snack.
Gaze out the window without a purpose.
In that simple pause, you might hear a whisper from within:
“I’m happy you’re here.”
May your inner child smile gently today, under the sky where summer quietly begins.
