On a visit to 188 Galerie last Sunday, wonder | wander | world fell in love with this collection of Koinobori.
Lucky us got to take three of these lovely lucky charms back to our happy home.
Koinobori are over sized carp in the shape of windsocks, streamers or banners that decorate the landscape of Japan from April through early May.
Celebrating Tango no Sekku (端午の節句?) also known as Ayame no hi (Iris Festival) – it is one of the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku.
In Japan they celebrate Children's Day (originally Boys' Festival) on May 5. Girls' Day (Hinamatsuri) was celebrated on March 3. Both are now celebrated on Children's Day.
Families traditionally fly koinobori from their homes to honor their kids in their desire for the children to possess the revered traits of the carp.
The Boys' Festival was originally an event expressing hope that each boy in the family would grow up healthy and strong like wild carp. The same now goes for each girl child too!
During this festival, people set up a warrior doll or a yoroi armor set in the house and koinobori, huge carp-shaped windsocks, outdoors.
Originally, the banners were used by samurai warriors in ancient times. The warriors on the battlefield wore full armor and flew banners.
The banners were painted in various colors and shapes, some with carp images on them.
These were eventually shaped and sewn into carp streamers and turned into the current colorful windsocks of today.
Before summer's glory ends, we blaze through these bright days, collecting their warmth and joy!
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