Kodomo Day

　　　Last Thursday, May 5^th was Kodomono-hi (Children’s day) in Japan. Kodomono-hi is a national holiday to celebrate children’s happinesss. Even though the name of the holiday is “Children’s day”, this holiday is actually for only boys. There is a day to celebrate for girls on Hinamatsuri on March 3^rd but it is not a national holiday.

　　　Around May 5^th some households start to decorate Koinobori outside their house. 

 

 "Koinobori"

Picture borrowed from http://www.ryugetsu.net/shop/?c=koi

　　　The word Koinobori itself consists of two words “Koi” (a carp, or Koi fish) and “Nobori” (rising). Koinobori is basically a wind stock shaped like a Koi fish. The origin of Children’s day has been started since Nara period (710~784) and Koinobori is from Edo period (1603~1868). The idea of Koinobori is related to the Chinese old saying of “climbing up a strong stream”. People wish for their children to grow up in good health and be strong like a Koi fish climbing up a strong stream so that they can spend better life in the future. (information is from here)

　　　Since it was Golden Week last week I went back to my hometown Saga prefecture in Kyusyu and went to the event “Kawakamikyo Spring Festival (川上峡春祭り)” with my family to see many Koinobori swimming in the winds. The sightseeing organization of the city organizes to decorate about 300 Koinobori across the river as an event for Children’s day every year.

　　　　I remember when I was there for a school trip as an elementary school student my teacher told me that many of Koinoboris are donated by local companies or organizations in the prefecture. There are more events and decoration of Koinobori in many places in Japan around May 5^th and people enjoy seeing Koinobori as a seasonal event.