Koinobori (Carp Streamer)

>> Friday, April 30, 2010

--Koinobori--


---means "carp streamer" in Japanese, they are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Tango no Sekku, a traditional calendrical event which is now designated a National holiday; Children's Day. These wind socks are made by drawing carp patterns on paper, cloth or other nonwoven fabric. They are then allowed to flutter in the wind. They are also known as satsuki-nobori (皐幟).

A koinobori set consists of, from the top of the pole down, a pair of arrow-spoked wheels (矢車, yaguruma?) with a ball-shaped spinning vane, flying-dragon streamer (飛龍吹流し, hiryū fukinagashi?) that looks like a windsock, a black koinobori and a red koinobori. If more boys are in the household, an additional blue, green and then purple koinobori are added. The red koinobori's color can be varied as orange or pink. These carp sets are flown above the roofs of houses with sons, with the biggest (black) koinobori for the father, next biggest (red) for the eldest son, and ranging down to the smallest carp for the youngest son.



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Momo (peach blossoms)

>> Saturday, April 24, 2010




Cherry blossoms (Sakura), Plum blossoms (Ume) and Peach blossoms (Momo) might look all the same but they are different in the shape of their petals as well as the number. These are peach blossoms they have more petals in layers compared to plum and cherry blossoms which have 5 each.



A peach tree in bloom, we're still waiting for its fruits, though I can't be sure if they are the type that bears fruit.


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Welcome to Japan



Since Narita is the location of the airport, the welcome sign is readily seen through entry.

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Momiji (Maple trees)

>> Friday, April 23, 2010


By the riverside, red trees thrive. :)

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Sky and Flower Watching

>> Thursday, April 22, 2010

No, it didn't rain. The clouds though are in agreement with the flowering trees.

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Slide!

>> Wednesday, April 21, 2010


Nothing better than a cool day, blue skies and slide, fun with the kids!

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Last winter...

>> Tuesday, April 20, 2010


Taken in November of last year....winter but it doesn't look so cold. :)

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April weather (Snow in Spring!)

>> Monday, April 19, 2010


A surprise when we wake up one morning, snow in the grounds and it is spring!

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Opening Ceremony

>> Sunday, April 18, 2010


Stage. School officials and teachers welcome parents and children for their first day in school, a new chapter in their lives.

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School Entrance

>> Saturday, April 17, 2010


Entrance at my daughter's school. Parents accompany their little ones or the opening ceremony.

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