This object is a Kabuto (兜) which is a traditional Japanese armor that samurais wore. The kabuto is displayed for Children’s Day, which is on May 5th every year. Children’s Day is about wishing one year of safety for children, since the armor protects you. Parents do not buy their children Kabutos, but grandparents buy their grandchildren Kabutos. Once the grandchild is born, grandparents must give their grandchildren their Kabutos before the next Children’s Day. Children’s Day used to be called Tango No Seku (端午の節句) and was only celebrated for boys, since there was also a day for celebrating girls on March 3rd, which was called Hina Matsuri (雛祭リ), but now May 5th is celebrated for both boys and girls. 
My Kabuto is important to me because I was born in the US in February, and my grandparents in Japan sent me my Kabuto, which was made just for me, to the US in less than three months. This object teaches me that Japan cares about its children very much. Having my Kabuto makes me think, had my ancestors ever worn a Kabuto in a battle, or were they just normal civilians? It also makes me wonder what my family was in the past.

– MG

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant