Children's Day

In Japan, Children’s Day is one of Japan’s five sacred festivals and is held on the 4th of May. It's celebrated by hanging koinobori (carp streamers). This practice is based on a Chinese legend that if a carp is strong enough to swim upstream against strong currents, it can become a dragon. Originally the festival was known as Boy's Day and the carp symbolised the potential of male children, but in 1948 it was renamed Children's Day to celebrate all children and to include recognition of mothers .

'Carp Streamer' - Takeuchi Keishu, 1908.

'Fine Day in May' - Kotozuka Eiichi, ca. 1950s.

'Suido Bridge, Surugadai' - Utagawa Hiroshige, 1857.

'Go Go Koinobori - Daisuke' - Kaneko Kunio, 2008.