CARP FESTIVAL IN JAPAN

Origin and meaning

In the past, the Japanese, like Vietnam, Korea, and China, called the 5th day of the 5th lunar month Tet Doan Ngo (Tango no sekku in Japanese). Later, Japan used the solar calendar, and the 5th day of the 5th lunar month was considered a festival for boys throughout Japan and was recognized as a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948.

Carp streamers at the Koinobori festival in Gunma prefecture

The festival takes place for 2 months, from late March to mid-May every year in Kanna Town, Gunma Prefecture. And the meaning of this festival is a holiday for boys in the whole country of Japan.

Carp streamers originated from a Chinese legend (carp leaping over the Dragon Gate to become a dragon) and when brought to Japan, carp streamers became a symbol of healthy boys. In Japan, carp streamers are called Koinobori, in which “nobori” symbolizes the image of fish swimming up the waterfall from the river, “koi” is carp.

On this holiday, every family with a son will hang up carp lanterns to wish the boys health, resilience and independence in life.

According to the custom that has been passed down for thousands of years, on these holidays, families with sons will hang carp-shaped streamers in front of their houses. These carp-shaped streamers are called Koi-nobori. The streamers are beautifully decorated. They flutter in the blue sky. According to legend, people hang carp streamers to pray for boys to grow up quickly and be successful.

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