---

【国際交流PRアソシエイトからの発信★】Koinobori (こいのぼり)

私はもうずいぶん大人になってしまいましたが、毎年5月に、町の各所でこいのぼりが揚がっているいるのを見つけると、今もこどものころのように興奮してしまいます。

留学生のリットさんが、こいのぼりの由来や、そこに込められている願いについてまとめてくれました。ぜひご一読ください。

I've grown up a lot, but every year in May, when I find Koinobori flying around the town, I still get excited like I did when I was a child.

Ritt, an international student, summarized the origin of Koinobori and the wishes contained therein. Please give it a read.

---------

Koinobori (こいのぼり)

We have just stepped into the fifth month of the year, and in Japan, May begins with one of the most exciting and festive times on the calendar: Golden Week! This is a series of national holidays packed into just a few days, giving many people an extended break, a perfect chance to relax, travel, and spend quality time with family and friends.

Right in the heart of Golden Week, on May 5th, is a particularly special holiday: Children's Day, or "Kodomo no Hi." Originally celebrated as Boys' Day, this holiday has since evolved into a day to honor all children, their happiness, health, and future success. It's a time for families across Japan to come together and express their hopes for their children to grow up strong, kind, and full of potential.

One of the most iconic traditions of Children's Day is the display of Koinobori, or carp streamers. These colorful, fish-shaped flags are often seen fluttering in the wind outside homes, schools, and public spaces. If you're in Japan during early May, it's almost impossible to miss them -- they appear to be swimming gracefully through the sky! But these streamers are more than just eye-catching decorations. In Japanese culture, the carp (koi) is a symbol of strength, resilience, and determination, inspired by the fish's ability to swim upstream and leap over powerful waterfalls. The carp's journey is seen as a metaphor for overcoming life's challenges -- a fitting symbol for the aspirations parents have for their children.

Traditionally, Koinobori are displayed in sets: a black carp for the father, a red one for the mother, and a blue one for the child. In earlier times, only the father's black carp was flown, but over the years, the tradition expanded to represent the whole family. Today, some families even add additional carp in different colors for each child. While the colors can vary, the father's carp is almost always black.

In many regions of Japan, the celebration goes far beyond individual homes. Towns and cities host vibrant festivals where hundreds or even thousands of carp streamers are strung across rivers, parks, and open spaces, creating a truly breathtaking sight. If you find yourself in Morioka City during this season, don't be surprised to see colorful Koinobori fluttering high above, bringing the skies to life with their graceful movement.

Children's Day is more than just a holiday- it's a joyful celebration of life, family, tradition, and the boundless hopes parents have for their children. And with Golden Week offering an extended break, it's also a wonderful time for everyone to take a breath, enjoy the beauty of the season, and spend time together.

--------

??????????