子供の日
“Carp Streamers” (koinobori)
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| a plenty of Koinobori in an event held in Tokyo tower |
Today is "Children's day". It is also called "Boy's festival" comparing to Girl's festival on March 3.
Traditionally families having boys celebrate their boy's healthy growth and happiness flying carp-shaped streamers(Koinobori) the exterior of the house or display dolls of warriors inside. I remember Koinobori flutter in the wind when I was a kid.
Koinobori imply a family consisted of father and mother, a boy.
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| the traditional style |
History
Back to Edo-era, when a boy was born, warrior(samurai) families celebrate it putting a flag out at their home exteriors. This custom became common among the regular people.And people connected this custom with a Chinese ancient story of carp and started to display Koinobory.
The myth is like this.
There was a violent waterfall called the Dragon gate. Only a carp swam upstream strongly to become a dragon while other fishes didn't make it.
People changed the custom and started to display Koinobori instead of flags. Koinobori symbolizes strength and success.
