Japan History and Culture

Japanese Carp Streamers( Koinobori, 鯉幟)

Carp streamers or carp-shaped windsocks are also known as “koinobori” in Japanese decorate the landscape from April through early May, in honor of Children’s Day (kodomo no hi) on May 5, on this day parents who have a newborn baby boy celebrate their son’s birth by flagging carp streamers in the sky, above the roofs of houses, outside shops, and in the countryside, strung out over rivers. This day was designated as Boys Day or tango no sekku.

The carp streamer is a Japanese symbol of masculinity and success in life, the large koi are a symbol of the courage, strength and determination to overcome all obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals because it the most spirited of fish, its ability to swim up a waterfall. The Japanese families traditionally flew koinobori from their in front of house to honour their sons.

The streamers are made by colourful decorated paper, cloth, nonwoven fabric etc .The sizes of streamer generally with length 100 meters, and weight 350 kg was made in Kazo, Saitama.

The koinobori set are consists of streamers, made of paper or cloth, from the top of the bamboo or wooden pole down.

The top of the pair of two arrow- shaped spokes wheels (yaguruma) with a ball-shaped spinning vane, symbols of warfare.

The top of the carp streamers is represents the streamer with colorful stripes (Fukinagashi). This one is of five lucky colors, but sometimes they are made of red and white (koohaku) only, another auspicious combination. These streamers were used during battle in olden times to indicate the whereabouts of a brave warriors.

The largest and uppermost, black carp streamer represents the father of the house (Magoi).

The red carp streamer represents the mother of the house (Higoi).

The blue carp streamer one represents the boy.

The other carp streamers are children.

A koinobori set can cost anything from 10,000 yen (US$100) to 60,000 yen (US$600). Ours was 40,000 yen and some change. Not cheap by any means, but you only have to buy them once, you use them year after year, and up close they are actually pretty freaking cool.

admin on June 8th, 2009 | File Under Japanese Culture, Japanese Festival, Japanese stuff | No Comments -

Japanese Beckoning Cat (Maneki Neko)

An old Japanese tradition, the Maneki Neko has become a popular collector’s item all over the globe.

The Maneki Neko (literally “Beckoning Cat”; also known as Welcoming Cat, Lucky Cat, Money cat or Fortune Cat) is a Japanese sculpture often made of ceramic believed to give good luck to the owner. Often used in businesses– A raised left paw attracts customers while a raised right paw supposedly attracts money. The sculpture depicts a cat beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed in restaurants and shops. The sculpture is based on the Japanese Bobtail cat breed.

Maneki Neko come in different colors, styles, and degrees of ornateness. In addition to sculptures, Maneki Neko can be found as keychai s, piggy banks, air fresheners, and miscellaneous ornaments.

The Many Varities Of The Maneki Neko.

Each color of the Maneki Neko has a different meaning.

Tricolor Maneki Neko: The background is white with random black spots ringed with orange. This coloring is considered especially lucky and is the most popular color.