Now, you can get your carp streamer at home and display it like Japanese people do. We are happy to let you know that it’s done! 🙂 We received a lot of messages asking if we could add Koinobori to our online store.

All of these traits carried on over the years to land where they are today. They included more colour around the carp flags and even added windsocks. Over time, people added their own additional flair to the koinobori. Soon after the idea of raising a carp streamer was made famous by the Shogun, local commoners began to imitate the activity and thus began the origin of the koinobori. However, as mentioned earlier, the koinobori flag is now raised in honour of all children in the family. Of all the fish to attempt to swim upstream, only the carp’s strength and perseverance allowed it to become the first and only one to succeed.ĭuring the Edo period, these traits were considered highly desirable in a male, and so the carp was chosen as the symbol of the koinobori. The Japanese people refer to this story when defining the carp as a symbol of courage and ability to achieve goals. However, a golden carp managed to successfully reach the upper stream and became a magical dragon. The current was strong and thus many attempts were futile.

Indeed, there is actually another story behind that reason as well!Īs the old Japanese tale goes, there was once a time when many fish tried to swim up the stream of a river named ‘Koga River’. But why, do you ask, is it a carp of all creatures? Thus, by raising a koinobori flag, you are wishing well upon all children. Whilst it was originally something exclusive to sons in the family, over time, the meaning of the koinobori has changed and now encompasses females within the family as well. With the flags raised high and proud, they also prayed for the prosperity of descendants of the Shogun. They decided to raise carp flags as they were considered a symbol of advancement and success. During this period, the Shogun (military leaders) of the Edo period brought about the idea to raise flags on which carps were drawn to celebrate newborn boys in Shogun families.Īs the Shogun were the most elite level of generals during that era, the method of celebration needed to be a first-class one. The origin of koinobori is said to have started sometime between 1603 – 1868. The word ‘koinobori’ is actually made of two words – ‘koi’, meaning carp, and ‘nobori’, meaning flag. There is a story that has been passed down for generations now about how koinobori became the official symbol of Children’s Day. Read on below to find out more about koinobori. To an outsider, these carp-shaped streamers may appear to be just eye-catching decorations, but there is an interesting history associated with how it came to be. Whether they’re high up in the sky, strung between buildings, or floating low across the streams, these unique carp-shaped streamers will be sure to present stunning imagery. These days, there are multi colored streamers that will catch the eye of any passer-by. These colourful streamers are often flown during this period as a celebration of children, peaking on May 5th, the official Children’s Day. When you travel to Japan between late April and early May, you will encounter many displays of koinobori. From as early as the mid Edo era (somewhere between 1600s – 1800s), these beautiful carp streamers have been used as a way to symbolise and wish success and advancement for children. This means not only is the design double-sided but there is also a third layer in the middle that prevents the design from passing through.Koinobori is an element of traditional celebration ingrained in Japanese history. Our SaitoWorks nobori flags are unique in that they are triple-layered. Nowadays, nobori are a common sight in modern Japan, and can be found everywhere from noodle shops to sporting events and car shows. Used on the battlefields of feudal Japan to denote units within an army, they were carried attached to a long pole as warriors marched into battle. Nobori Flags (幟) are a long and narrow Japanese style of banner with great historical significance.

Hks nobori flag