2026-04-11
Koinobori: Carp Streamers Fly High for Children's Day
The koinobori set traditionally includes a black carp (็้ฏ - magoi) for the father, a red carp (็ท้ฏ - higoi) for the mother, and smaller blue or green carp for the children, representing the whole family.
Gogatsu itsuka wa kodomo no hi desu. Kazoku wa, kodomo ga genki ni naru yล ni, koinobori o agemasu.
May 5th is Children's Day. Families fly carp streamers to wish for their children to become healthy and strong.
Gogatsu itsuka no Tango no Sekku ni mukete, oya wa kodomo ga koi no yล ni chikarazuyoku seichล suru koto o negai, irotoridori no koinobori o sora ni oyogasemasu.
Leading up to the Tango no Sekku festival on May 5th, parents make colorful carp streamers swim in the sky, wishing for their children to grow up as strong as a carp.
Tango no Sekku ni koinobori o kakageru fลซshลซ wa, taki o noborikitta koi ga ryลซ ni naru to iu Chลซgoku no koji Tลryลซmon ni yurai shi, waga ko ga ikanaru konnan ni mo uchikachi, risshin shusse o togeru koto e no oya no setsunaru negai ga komerarete iru.
The custom of raising carp streamers for Tango no Sekku originates from the Chinese legend Tลryลซmon, in which a carp that swam up a waterfall becomes a dragon, and it is imbued with the parents earnest wish that their own children will overcome any hardship and achieve great success in life.