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Koinobori
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<h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>A typical <i>koinobori</i> set consists of, from the top of the pole down, a pair of arrow-spoked wheels (矢車, <i>yaguruma</i>) with a ball-shaped spinning <a href="/facts/Weather_vane/y2LpsITs">vane</a>, a mounting <a href="/facts/Windsock/6HELGxWU">windsock</a> (吹流し, <i>fukinagashi</i>), and finally the <i>koinobori</i>. For the windsock above the <i>koinobori</i>, two main kinds are used: the five-colored windsock (五色吹流し), based on the <a href="/facts/Wuxing_(Chinese_philosophy)/52qaWtTv">five elements</a> of Chinese philosophy, and patterned windsocks (柄物吹流し), often featuring a <i><a href="/facts/Mon_(emblem)/2qgwsPW1">mon</a></i> (家紋, family crest).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> The number and meaning of the carp streamers or <i>koinobori</i> that fly beneath the windsock has changed over time. Traditionally, the set would contain a black <i>koinobori</i> representing the father, followed by a smaller, red <i>koinobori</i> representing his eldest son. This is why, according to the Japanese American National Museum, in the traditional "children's song," the red one (<i>higoi</i>) represents the eldest son. If more boys were in the household, an additional blue, green, and then, depending on the region, either purple or orange <i>koinobori</i> were added. After the government's decree that converted Boy's Day (<i>Tango no Sekku</i>) into the present Children's Day (<i>Kodomo no Hi</i>), the holiday came to celebrate the happiness of both boys and girls. As a result, the red <i>koinobori</i> came to represent the mother of the family and it is not uncommon for the color to be varied as pink. Similarly, the other colors and sizes of carp came to represent all the family's children, both sons and daughters. </p><p>At present, the <i>koinobori</i> are commonly flown above the roofs of houses with children, with the biggest (black) <i>koinobori</i> for the father, next biggest (red or pink) for the mother, and additional smaller carps of a different color for each child in decreasing order by age. </p><p><i>Koinobori</i> range from a few centimetres to a few metres long. In 1988, a 100 m (330 ft) long <i>koinobori</i> weighing 350 kg (770 lb) was made in <a href="/facts/Kazo%2c_Saitama/coR06T3M">Kazo, Saitama</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="history">History</h2> <p><i>Koinobori</i> have been in use since the 18th century. During the <a href="/facts/Edo_period/BWxv9h57">Edo period</a> (1603–1867), <a href="/facts/Samurai/5NSPbSuI">samurai households</a> began to decorate their yards with <i><a href="/facts/Nobori/Ag2yD8br">nobori</a></i> or <i>fukinuke</i> (吹貫) flags, which were colored with <i><a href="/facts/Mon_(emblem)/2qgwsPW1">mon</a></i> (family crests) to represent military units, during <i>Tango no Sekku</i>. The <i>nobori</i> and <i>fukinuke</i> were then merged, and the first <i>koinobori</i> appeared in <a href="/facts/Edo/2m0TXqb8">Edo</a> (now <a href="/facts/Tokyo/GTvuw4ct">Tokyo</a>). The colorful <i>koinobori</i> as they are modernly known became popular in the <a href="/facts/Meiji_era/Ajr5VCQ5">Meiji era</a> (1868–1912).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p> <p>Though originally exclusive to samurai households, they eventually reached the rest of the population. They were traditionally flown as part of the Japanese Boys' Day, with one carp for each son, while girls found a counterpart to this custom in <i><a href="/facts/Hinamatsuri/03jY626k">hinamatsuri</a></i> 'Doll's Day'. However, after the redesignation of May 5th as Children's Day in 1948, some families began flying koi for every child, regardless of gender.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> Despite this, the connection between the <i>koinobori</i> and male children remains, and many families still do not fly them for their daughters. The <a href="/facts/Koi/GxHXttYP">koi</a>, known for its ability to swim upstream, represents courage, determination, and the hope that children will grow up healthily.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> This symbolism pays homage to the myth of <a href="/facts/Longmen_(mythology)/uVnIElyy">longmen</a> from the late <a href="/facts/Han_dynasty/hanfxS9D">Han dynasty</a>, that a golden koi fish swam up a waterfall at the end of the <a href="/facts/Yellow_River/LajkLtUU">Yellow River</a> and became a <a href="/facts/Dragon/VRWglF5f">dragon</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> </p><p>The number of <i>koinobori</i> included on a pole and the variety of their colors have increased over time to accommodate more family members. They were originally made by hand-painting materials such as paper or cloth, but these have almost entirely fallen out of use in favour of synthetics, outside of some rural areas.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> Silk and paper models are still sold, but at a higher price than the synthetics.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> </p><p>Related <i>Tango no sekku</i> traditions include kite-flying, <a href="/facts/Fighter_kite/eqJ31c2q">kite-fighting</a>, the display of samurai dolls and miniature <a href="/facts/Japanese_armor/YD3uSP4g">Japanese armor</a> and helmets (<i><a href="/facts/Kabuto/ehptYMFX">kabuto</a></i>) in the home, the bathing with <a href="/facts/Iris_(plant)/gFaCSoqF">iris</a> in the bathtub, the consumption of <a href="/facts/Kashiwa_mochi/7G1ngDgY">Kashiwa mochi</a> (sticky rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves) and <i>shōbu-<a href="/facts/Sake/JAnXrMTz">sake</a></i> (sake soaked with thinly sliced iris root and leaves), and, in some areas, the tradition of making young boys crawl through the <i>koinobori</i> for good fortune.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> As a tradition, throughout Children's Day, children also thank and show respect for relatives, parents, and teachers for support throughout their life.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="koinoborisong"><i>Koinobori</i> song</h2> <p>A famous <i>koinobori</i> song often sung by children and their families. It was published in <i>Ehon shōka haru no maki</i> (Picture Songbook, Spring) in 1932. The lyrics are by Miyako Kondō (近藤宮子).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> The composer is unknown. </p> <table><tbody><tr><td>Original Japanese:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a><p>屋根より 高い 鯉のぼり大きい 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</p></td><td>Rōmaji: <i><p>yane yori takai koinoboriōkii magoi wa otōsanchiisai higoi wa kodomo-tachiomoshirosō ni oyoideru</p></i></td><td>English translation: <p>Higher than the roof-tops are the koinoboriThe large carp is the fatherThe smaller carp are the childrenThey seem to be having fun swimming.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="gallery">Gallery</h2> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Dragon_Boat_Festival/3CM0rHvE">Dragon Boat Festival</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li> Media related to Koinobori at Wikimedia Commons</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Trend Illustrated Japanese-English Dictionary of Things Japanese", Shogakukan, 1999 <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Carp Streamer". Emojipedia. <a href="http://emojipedia.org/carp-streamer/" target="_blank">http://emojipedia.org/carp-streamer/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"工業 ― 繊維製品 ― こいのぼり" (PDF). 15 May 2019. <a href="https://www.okashin.co.jp/local/jiba/pdf/pdf_fiber.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.okashin.co.jp/local/jiba/pdf/pdf_fiber.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Kazo City Heiwa Festival". chocotabi saitama. <a href="https://en.chocotabi-saitama.jp/event/21718" target="_blank">https://en.chocotabi-saitama.jp/event/21718</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>五月人形と鯉のぼりの由来 (in Japanese). Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Nagoya Touken World. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023. <a href="五月人形と鯉のぼりの由来" target="_blank">五月人形と鯉のぼりの由来</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>五月人形の基礎知識 (in Japanese). Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Nagoya Touken World. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023. <a href="五月人形の基礎知識" target="_blank">五月人形の基礎知識</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Asia Kids Society. (2009). Children's Day in Japan: Kodomo no Hi. Retrieved from http://kids.asiasociety.org/explore/childrens-day-japan-kodomo-no-hi <a href="http://kids.asiasociety.org/explore/childrens-day-japan-kodomo-no-hi" target="_blank">http://kids.asiasociety.org/explore/childrens-day-japan-kodomo-no-hi</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Joya, Mock (2017). Japan and Things Japanese. Routledge. ISBN 9781136221866. <a href="9781136221866" target="_blank">9781136221866</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Buckley, Sandra (2009). The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780415481526. <a href="9780415481526" target="_blank">9780415481526</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Buckley, Sandra (2009). The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780415481526. <a href="9780415481526" target="_blank">9780415481526</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Saint-Gilles, Amaury (January 1990). Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 9781462917365. <a href="9781462917365" target="_blank">9781462917365</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Koi Fish Meaning and Myth". 18 November 2013. <a href="https://koistory.com/blog/koi-fish-meaning-and-myth" target="_blank">https://koistory.com/blog/koi-fish-meaning-and-myth</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"koi-no-takinobori 鯉の滝登り". JAANUS. Retrieved 7 Jul 2022. <a href="https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/koinotakinobori.htm" target="_blank">https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/koinotakinobori.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Saint-Gilles, Amaury (January 1990). Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 9781462917365. <a href="9781462917365" target="_blank">9781462917365</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Buckley, Sandra (2009). The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780415481526. <a href="9780415481526" target="_blank">9780415481526</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Joya, Mock (2017). Japan and Things Japanese. Routledge. ISBN 9781136221866. <a href="9781136221866" target="_blank">9781136221866</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>五月人形と鯉のぼりの由来 (in Japanese). Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Nagoya Touken World. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023. <a href="五月人形と鯉のぼりの由来" target="_blank">五月人形と鯉のぼりの由来</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>五月人形の基礎知識 (in Japanese). Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Nagoya Touken World. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023. <a href="五月人形の基礎知識" target="_blank">五月人形の基礎知識</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>Asia Kids Society. (2009). Children's Day in Japan: Kodomo no Hi. Retrieved from http://kids.asiasociety.org/explore/childrens-day-japan-kodomo-no-hi <a href="http://kids.asiasociety.org/explore/childrens-day-japan-kodomo-no-hi" target="_blank">http://kids.asiasociety.org/explore/childrens-day-japan-kodomo-no-hi</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Ōie, Shigeo (September 2004). 唱歌「コヒノボリ」「チューリップ」と著作権: 国文学者藤村作と長女近藤宮子とその時代. Zen-On Music Company Ltd. ISBN 4118803011. <a href="4118803011" target="_blank">4118803011</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>"Koinobori (Carp streamers)". JP NET. <a href="http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/holidays/May/song-koinobori.shtml" target="_blank">http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/holidays/May/song-koinobori.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>