A carp swimming in the sky…?!
If you find yourself travelling in Japan during Golden Week, you may be surprised by the sight of a carp flying majestically in the sky.
Many are surprised when they see this for the first time, but it is an old and traditional Japanese event known as “Koinobori”.
In preparation for Children’s Day on May 5th, Japanese people put up vibrant, colorful carp to flutter in the wind.
When you first see it, you may wonder, “Why are there such stupidly big carp up in the sky?”
The reason carp streamers are put up in celebration of Children’s Day is that they want children to overcome the obstacles they encounter in life like carp.
When I became an adult and found out the meaning behind putting up the carp streamers, I wanted to celebrate Children’s Day for my children with carp streamers too, and at the same time I felt a belated gratitude for my own parents who celebrated me the same way when I was a child.
The Carp streamers of “Koinobori” are a Japanese custom that expresses the warm feelings parents have torwards their children.
You may think it’d be hard to take home such a big carp streamer yourself…
These days, carp streamers small enough to hold in your hands are also on sale. I hope you will consider choosing one as a souvenir during your journey in Japan.