May 5th is Children’s Day in Japan. The holiday is to wish that children will be happy and healthy and will grow strong and have perseverance to try to achieve something despite difficulties.
One of the traditions of Children’s Day in Japan is to display “koinobori” (こいのぼり), which are carp streamers. 🎏
Carp are considered as a symbol of strength and perseverance because of their ability to swim upstream.
Parks, public places, and families with children often display these “koinobori” carp streamers for Children’s Day, in the hopes that children will be healthy, happy, and have perseverance for the challenges, big and small, in life ahead.
Here in the Minamiuonuma region of Japan, there are some stunning displays of carp streamers in some of the local parks. The pictures below were taken at a riverside park near the mountains.
In addition to the traditional carp streamers, this year the Ukrainian flag is also displayed as a wish for the children.
Wishing that children everywhere may be healthy and happy and live in peace and safety.
