My youngest son was so excited when I hang these Japanese Koinobori (carp streamer) at our house. He loves to see these carp shaped wind sock fluttering when the wind blows. Traditionally. Koinobori are put up to celebrate Japanese Boys Festival (Tengo no Sekku) (端午の節句) (Modern, Children's Day) on 5th May in Japan and most households there would start putting them up as early as April. As for me, I am even earlier.......now is only March! LOL!
The carps are put up in honour of sons in the family, hoping that they will grow up to be strong and healthy. Carp is known to be energetic and strong in fighting swift currents. Anyway, they have large black carp to represent the father and red (second biggest) for the mother. Mmmm, I wonder if there is any for daughters?
KOINOBORI SONG LYRICS
屋根より高い鯉幟
大きい真鯉はお父さん
小さい緋鯉は子供たち
面白そうに泳いでる
Romanised (Yane yori takai koinobori
Ookii magoi wa otoosan
Chiisai higoi wa kodomo tachi
Omoshirosoo ni oyoideru)
English Translation (Carp windsocks are above the roof.
The biggest carp is the father,
The smaller carp are children,
They're enjoying swimming in the sky)
Here is a cute boy singing the Koinobori song
10 comments:
ooh, i like the carp streamer!! they look very nice.. thanks for letting me know their functions.. :)
that's something new to me.
Interesting, Pete, first I'm hearing of this.
Oh? So that's what they're called...and this is what they're for. Hmmmm....we learn new things every day!
I've always wonder what is it called.. So now I know, hehe.
wah you are sure very early wor...cute singing
No carp streamer for daughter. Oh no! So disappointed.
where you got this Japanese Koinobori ? my two boys sure love this too.
Pete, I was wondering where to get this Koinobori (first time learning about the name).
And thanks for sharing the story behind the fish.
Sonia & Yvonne : I bought it from 100Yen shop, Daiso in 1Utama
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