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ADVANCEMENT - BOYS' DAY IN JAPAN

Equipment: Prepare a flagpole with four fish windsocks of various sizes, hung with largest on top. May be decorated with the appropriate symbols of rank.

"Tango No Sekku" (tahn-goh noh seh-koo) is an annual festival in Japan known as Boys' Day. On this day you will see many colorful fish kites and windsocks flying. According to ancient legend, one day a boy named Kintaro (keen-tah-roh) stood beside the river, watching some fishermen. Suddenly, he saw a man-eating carp fish swimming toward the men. The fishermen didn't notice the carp, so Kintaro jumped into the river. He fought with the fish and killed it. Ever since then, on May 5, the festival of Boys' Day has been celebrated in Japan.

On Boys' Day, families with one or more sons put up a bamboo flagpole in their yards. From the poles they hang carp (fish) kites or windsocks. The biggest wind sock represents the oldest son and the smallest represents the youngest son.

Our smallest flag on our flagpole tonight represents the Bobcat. As these hollow windsocks fill with the blowing wind, they appear to be swimming. The following boys have just begun to swim up the Cub Scout trail. (Call boys and parents forward.)

The carp, a fish that swims against the stream, is a symbol of strength, a quality all families want their sons to have. The following boys have demonstrated their strength of character, as well as their physical stamina, in completing the rank of Wolf. (Call boys and parents forward.)

The carp also symbolizes another desired characteristic of boys -- bravery. The following boys have shown courage by stepping into new and unknown areas of skill as they completed the Bear Badge. (Call boys and parents forward.)

Another characteristic symbolized by the carp is determination. The following boys have demonstrated great determination by diligently traveling the Cub Scout trail in pursuit of the Webelos Badge. (Call boys and parents forward.)

The tradition of Boys' Day reminds us of the importance of children and family. The Cub Scouts here tonight, their brothers and their sisters, are the future of our world. May the experiences that Scouting brings to your family enrich their lives and mold them into responsible citizens of the world.