"Koinobori*" is a unique and traditional Japanese custom.
May 5th is a holiday called "Children's Day*", which is "Tango no Sekku※", and there is a custom of raising Koinobori to wish for the healthy growth of one's children.
Koinobori originated in the Edo period and became a symbol of success in life based on an ancient Chinese legend.
Currently, the number of households displaying Koinobori is decreasing due to reasons such as declining birthrates and an increase in rental housing. Instead, indoor stand-type Koinobori that are easy to display are becoming popular, and many varieties are being sold.
In this article, we’ll dive into the origin, history, characteristics, and types (indoor and outdoor) of Koinobori. We hope to deepen your understanding of this uniquely Japanese custom of Koinobori.
* Koinobori: carp-shaped streamer
* Tango no Sekku: An event held on May 5th to pray for the healthy growth of boys.
* Kodomo-no-hi (Children's Day): Children's Day
What is Koinobori?
Source: 吉兆鯉2.5M6点【庭園スタンドセット】｜人形の東玉
Koinobori refers to a "streamer" shaped like a carp, as shown in the picture above, attached to a pole with a string. When wind is taken in through the mouth part, it looks as if it's swimming in the sky.
In recent years, fewer households in urban areas display Koinobori, but in rural areas, as Children's Day on May 5th approaches, you can see houses raising impressive Koinobori in their gardens.
In this section, we will explain why carp are considered lucky in Japan and the history of Koinobori.
Carp are lucky creatures
In Japan, carp have been considered lucky creatures since ancient times. The main reason is that carp became a symbol of success in life from an ancient Chinese legend, which will be explained later.
Other reasons include:
- Carp are extremely resilient and can live in ponds and swamps with poor water quality.
- Carp are nutritious and delicious high-class ingredients that were favored by samurai.
- Carp meat and organs were believed to have various medicinal effects and were used as medicinal fish.
- Nishikigoi* with beautiful patterns are called "living jewels" and are popular not only in Japan but also overseas.
- Carp have a very long lifespan of 20-30 years.
- Carp are considered messengers of the gods and are often found in shrine ponds.
* Nishikigoi: A breed of carp characterized by colorful body patterns
History of Koinobori
Here, we will briefly explain the history of Koinobori.
The custom of "Tango no Sekku", which was introduced from China in the 8th century, became an important event to pray for the healthy growth of boys, and by the early Edo period, it was celebrated grandly.
When a child was born to the shogun's family, they began to raise "nobori (banners)※" on Tango no Sekku.
This custom of raising banners evolved into "five-colored streamers" among samurai families※. While samurai families raised five-colored streamers, commoners began to raise "Koinobori" based on the Chinese legend.
While current Koinobori typically consist of 3-4 colorful carp, in the Edo period, there was only one black carp.
* Nobori: Japanese banner-flag
* Buke (Samurai families): Lineage and family background of samurai
Origin of Koinobori
The Chinese story of "Tōryūmon*" is essential when discussing the origin of Koinobori. In this section, we will explain the story of "Tōryūmon" and its connection to Children's Day and Tango no Sekku.
* Tōryūmon: gateway to success
Influence of the Chinese story "Tōryūmon"
Influence of the Chinese story "Tōryūmon" The origin of Koinobori (carp streamers) is said to be from the Chinese story of "Tōryūmon" (Dragon Gate).
By the Edo period, the Tango no Sekku (Boy's Day festival) had become an important event not only for samurai families but also for commoners. While samurai families raised five-colored streamers, commoners began to raise "Koinobori" based on the ancient Chinese legend of "carp climbing a waterfall."
This legend states that "In the upper reaches of the Yellow River in China, there was a waterfall called the Dragon Gate. Any carp that successfully climbed this waterfall would turn into a dragon."
The idiomatic phrase "Tōryūmon"derived from this story is still commonly used today to mean "a gateway to success or promotion."
*Dragon: In China, dragons are divine or spiritual creatures. In Japan, they are often objects of worship as water deities. They are different creatures from Western dragons.
Carp as a symbol in Japan
In Japan, the primary symbolism of the carp is "success in life," derived from the "Tōryūmon" story.
Relationship between Children's Day and Tango no Sekku
Currently, "Children's Day" and "Tango no Sekku" refer to the same date, May 5th, but they originally had different origins and meanings.
First, "Tango no Sekku" was introduced from China in the 8th century and was a custom of celebrating "the first Day of the Horse in May*". As this time marked a change of seasons, people decorated with iris* or took iris baths to ward off illness and evil spirits, wishing for good health.
Later, Tango no Sekku became an event centered around samurai society to pray for the healthy growth and success of boys. In the Edo period, as "go" (午, horse) was associated with the number "5", it became one of the "Five Seasonal Festivals*" celebrated on May 5th.
In the mid-Edo period, the custom of Tango no Sekku, wishing for children's success in life, became linked with the "Tōryūmon" story, leading to the birth of Koinobori.
"Children's Day" was established as a "National Holiday" in 1948. When holidays were re-established after World War II, May 5th, the same day as Tango no Sekku, was chosen. This led to the connection between Children's Day and Koinobori.
- Day of the Horse: In old Japan, days were assigned to the twelve zodiac signs, with the "horse" day occurring every 12 days.
- Shoubu: iris
- Gosekku: five festival days
Characteristics of Koinobori
Here, we explain the characteristics of modern Koinobori.
In the Edo period, Koinobori were made of Japanese paper, but in the Meiji era, cotton ones were created. After World War II, nylon and polyester versions were born. Since the mass production of chemical fiber Koinobori began nationwide in Japan, regional differences have become smaller.
Materials and Manufacturing Process
① Materials
Current Koinobori are made of two types of materials: "polyester" and "nylon".
Koinobori displayed outdoors inevitably suffer from fabric deterioration and fading due to UV rays and rain. Fading typically starts after about 5-8 years for polyester and 2-3 years for nylon. These durability estimates vary depending on usage conditions and environment.
In terms of price, polyester tends to be more expensive than nylon. Both materials are light and swim vigorously in winds of about 3-5 m/s.
② Manufacturing Process
Koinobori are made through the following process:
Dyeing: White fabric is dyed with various types of dyes.
Steaming: High-temperature steaming fixes the colors.
Washing: Excess dye is washed away.
Cutting: The fabric is cut into the shape of Koinobori.
Sewing: Both machine and hand sewing are used. Mouth rings and fins are also attached. Finishing: Small parts such as metal fittings are attached.
Regional Differences in Koinobori
The regional characteristics of Koinobori can be broadly divided into "Kanto style" and "Kansai style".
- Kanto Style: Koinobori originated in Edo (Tokyo). Initially, realistic designs were made, and even now, many have detailed depictions around the face and scales. Also, techniques from Edo kites* were applied, resulting in some flamboyant designs with vibrant colors.
- Kansai Style: Many are characterized by simple and elegant designs, painted in monochrome shades on a white background. In the Chubu region between Kanto and Kansai, designs that seem to be a fusion of Kanto and Kansai styles can be seen.
*Edo kites: Traditional kites from Tokyo with flashy pictures painted in many colors.
Types and Composition of Koinobori
Here's an explanation of the composition of typical Koinobori.
The carps are arranged in order from top to bottom: a large black "Magoi*", a slightly smaller red "Higoi*", and a small blue "Kogoi".
Usually, a "Fukinagashi" (streamer) is also raised above the Magoi, and sometimes a "Yaguruma*" is attached to the top of the pole.
What do each of these carps, streamers, and Yaguruma symbolize?
*Magoi: A native Japanese carp species commonly seen before the Edo period, different from the black carp we often see today.
*Higoi: A red carp that emerged as a mutation from Magoi.
*Yaguruma: A pinwheel with arrow-shaped vanes radiating around an axis.
Magoi (Black Carp)
When Koinobori first appeared in the Edo period, only a single black "Magoi" was displayed. This can be seen in ukiyo-e* prints from the time. Back then, this Magoi represented the child. From the Meiji to Taisho era, it became a two-carp set with "Higoi", where Magoi represented the father and Higoi the child. Even after "Kogoi" was added to make a three-carp set after World War II, Magoi continued to represent the father.
*Ukiyo-e: Colorful genre paintings that developed during the Edo period.
Higoi (Red Carp)
From the Meiji to Taisho era, the red "Higoi" was added to the previously single Magoi Koinobori, making it a two-carp set.
At that time, this Higoi represented the child, and only one Higoi was displayed even if multiple boys were born.
After World War II, when the blue "Kogoi" was added to make a three-carp set, Higoi came to represent the mother, while Kogoi represented the child.
Kogoi (Small Carp)
After World War II, a blue "Kogoi" was added to the previously two-carp set of Magoi and Higoi, making it a three-carp set.
This is the type commonly seen today. As the number of children increases to two, three, and so on, additional Kogoi in various colors such as green, yellow, purple, orange, and pink may be added.
Yaguruma and Fukinagashi
When raising Koinobori, a banner with five long tails in five colors called "Goshiki no Fukinagashi" is usually raised at the very top. The Fukinagashi has the following meanings:
- Reporting the birth of a boy to the gods
- Announcing the birth of a boy to neighboring residents
- Warding off evil spirits based on the ancient Chinese Five Elements theory*
Also, a "Yaguruma" is sometimes attached to the top of the pole. The Yaguruma has the following meanings:
- Strong appeal to the gods
- Warding off evil spirits through sound and circular motion
*Gogyousetsu (Five Elements theory): A philosophy born in ancient China that classifies everything in nature into five elements.
Display Koinobori In Real Life
Source: かなめ鯉のぼり室内用｜寿鳳人形の東芸
Now, let's actually purchase and display Koinobori. It's too early to give up thinking "We can't do it because we don't have a big yard."
Currently, there's a wide variety of indoor Koinobori available, not just outdoor ones. In this section, we'll explain the types of Koinobori, when to display them, and how to store them.
Types of Koinobori and How to Choose
In recent years, especially in urban areas, it has become less common to see large, grand Koinobori.
Possible reasons include declining birthrates, nuclear families, economic issues, and an increase in rental housing.
Recently, indoor Koinobori have become popular with a wide variety of options, and for outdoor use, easily installable types are gaining popularity.
Look at products on internet shopping sites and in physical stores to choose one that suits your household.
Indoor Koinobori
If it's difficult to set up Koinobori outdoors because "you don't have a large yard" or "you lack financial flexibility", indoor Koinobori are recommended.
Currently, many manufacturers sell various types of indoor Koinobori.
Hand-held mini-sized Koinobori can be displayed not only indoors but also on balconies. Stand-type Koinobori are also popular and can be displayed alone or alongside May dolls* or helmets.
There are also wall-hanging types and suspended types like mobiles. Prices range from about 5,000 to 50,000 yen, which is relatively affordable. They don't take up much space and are easy to set up, put away, and maintain.
*Gogatsuningyo (May dolls): Dolls displayed on Boys' Day to celebrate the birth of a boy and wish for his healthy growth.
Outdoor Koinobori
Watching Koinobori swimming energetically in the pleasant May breeze can be exhilarating. For households with large yards, why not raise authentic Koinobori to wish for your child's healthy growth?
Sets including a pole, Yaguruma, Fukinagashi, and three carps range from the 100,000 yen range to nearly 700,000 yen. It's advisable to have professionals install them for safety.
In recent years, outdoor Koinobori that are easy to set up and more affordable, such as stand types that don't require driving stakes or types that can be hung from the balcony to the garden using ropes, have also become popular.
When to Display
There are no strict rules about when you must start displaying Koinobori.
Generally, many households start displaying them from late March to early April. There are also no rules about when to take them down.
It's good to choose a sunny day to put them away before the rainy season begins.
Proper Storage Methods
Typically, Koinobori start to show fabric deterioration and fading after a few years. To maintain them in good condition for as long as possible, proper storage is important. When putting away Koinobori, check each one for dirt.
- If there's no noticeable dirt: Lightly wipe the entire surface with a well-wrung cloth, then dry in the shade.
- If there's partial dirt: Dilute kitchen neutral detergent in lukewarm water, apply it to a cloth, and gently pat-wash the dirty areas. Once the dirt is removed, pat-wash several times with water to ensure no detergent remains on the fabric. Then, lightly wipe the entire surface and dry in the shade.
- If it's dirty all over: Soak the Koinobori in lukewarm water diluted with kitchen neutral detergent in a washbasin or bucket for about an hour. Then, gently press-wash and rinse several times with water until no bubbles appear. After pressing out the water, dry thoroughly in the shade.
Once fully dried, neatly fold and return to the original box, storing in a place with low humidity such as the top shelf of a closet or storage space. It's also recommended to include a desiccant, but avoid using mothballs as they may cause discoloration.
Summary
In this article, we learned about Koinobori.
During the Edo period, samurai families raised "five-colored streamers" when their sons were born, while commoners raised "Koinobori".
Koinobori derives from the Chinese story of "Tōryūmon", which became a symbol of success.
After World War II, "Children's Day" was set on May 5th, the same day as Tango no Sekku, linking Children's Day with Koinobori. A typical Koinobori set consists of a "Fukinagashi" followed by "Magoi", "Higoi", and "Kogoi", representing father, mother, and child respectively. Recently, indoor Koinobori have become popular with a wide variety of options, and for outdoor use, easily installable types are gaining popularity. Children's Day in Japan is marked by the display of Koinobori.
A number of places are hosting events featuring Koinobori flying in the sky, such as the one in the photo above, in preparation for Children's Day. We hope you can see actual Koinobori and experience their beauty and grandeur.
