Article by student and intern Ayako Sakai, Japan
May 5th is Children’s Day in Japan. It’s called Children’s Day nowadays but traditionally it’s known as “Tango no sekku” and families with a boy/boys celebrate this day by flying Koinobori (carp streamers) and displaying decorations featuring samurai helmets and armor inside the house in hope of healthy growth of the boys. Koinobori are cloth streamers in the shape of a carp which are flown on a tall pole on Children’s day. Carp are believed to be fish capable of climbing up stream against rapid currents and overcoming all manner of obstacles. Therefore, carp are taken as a symbol of the strength, courage and patience to accomplish major goals. Nowadays, Children’s Day is celebrated in hope of healthy growth, happiness, and prosperity of both boys and girls.
