We're Celebrating Koinobori - Children's Day 5th May

In May we're celebrating Koinobori, a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. Each year on May 5 colourful decorative, carp-shaped windsocks are flown in celebration of Children's Day (こどもの日 or Kodomo no Hi), which is one of the holidays in Golden Week Japan. 

If you've travelled around Japan at this time of the year, you might have spotted these carp streamers hanging from flagpoles.

Koinobori is a family affair. Traditionally the black carp streamer are flown to symbolise the father of the family, and the red or pink carp ones symbolise the mother. Any other carp windsocks that are hung represent  the children in the family.

Originally, Children's Day was actually Boy's Day, and male children (and fathers) were celebrated - but now the holiday celebrates all children and their parents. Japanese carp, or koi  is chosen as a symbol since they are seen as a strong and spirited fish “koi” is also a synonym for the Japanese word for “love. 

We love the bright, artistic designs and the idea of celebrating children, and the whole point of Children's Day is to celebrate their happiness and their personalities. We'll have carp flags flying outside our house for definate!

Celebrate with us browse our Koinobori Children's Day collection.