In the last couple of weeks, lots of koinobori have been flown outside homes with sons. These wind socks typically have three carp - one representing the father, one the mother, and the last carp the children. Traditionally, there was a carp flag representing the father and one carp flag for each son. Why carp? Because they symbolize strength and success (a carp is strong enough to swim upstream against the current to achieve its goals).
It's been fun seeing the koinobori pop up everywhere and trying to get photos when the wind is just right! Occasionally they are also strung across a river or a bay (I'm not sure if they're intended to represent the boys in town, or if they're merely decorative). Here are a few photos I've taken. Try clicking on the last photo to zoom in and see the flags better.
The other decoration put out for Boys' Day is a samurai doll, paralleling the doll's display for Girls' Day. Often these are in the window cases at stores displaying very old dolls. Sometimes, just the samurai helmet is displayed.
I hope you're all enjoying a Happy Children's Day! I have lots of blogs to catch up - it's been a travel-filled Golden Week!
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