Praying for the healthy growth of children under the carp streamer flying in the blue sky (Yasunori Watanabe's house)!

Monday, April 20, 2020

Koinobori (carp streamers) are swishing pleasantly in the blue spring sky. The carp streamers are swimming in the blue spring sky, looking very comfortable.

Splendid carp streamers

A large family of carp streamers swaying in the blue sky
A large family of carp streamers swaying in the blue sky

Large family of 15 animals

Yasunori Watanabe, 57, of Kosaku, Hokuryu-cho, has a large family of 15 koi noboris (carp streamers), including the streamers!

The carp streamers are erected around April 1 every year and remain up until May 5, to wish for the healthy growth of children, and brightly decorate the sky.

It looks so nice in the light.
It looks so nice in the light.

This carp streamer has been in use for generations since the celebration of the first Dragon Boat Festival of his son Hayato, who is now 34 years old.

The 15-meter-long carp streamer is supported by a tree that was cut and transported from the mountains of Etai-betsu by the town's young people the year before last to commemorate the birth of their grandson, Taiga.

The largest of the 15 koi is a whopping 8 meters long, and the rainbow-colored koi are said to be from Hawaii.

Story by Yasunori Watanabe


Mr. Watanabe leading his magnificent koi.
Mr. Watanabe leading his magnificent koi.

Today we have blue skies and a nice breeze, so it's a perfect day for carp streamers.
On rainy days, we take them in tightly. There are many of them and they are heavy, so removing them is quite difficult.
Every time our family of children and grandchildren grows, the number of Koi increases, and we have Koi that we received as gifts, so we have become a big family," said Mr. Watanabe with a kind smile.
 

With prayers for the healthy growth and happiness of children,
A large family of friendly koi carp swimming in the blue sky,
With endless love, gratitude and prayers.

With Hokuryu Bridge in the background...
Chikushi Bridge in the background.

Wonderful koi families coloring the sky
Wonderful koi families coloring the sky

More Photos

interpoint (interword separation)Carp streamers dancing in the blue sky (Yasunori Watanabe's house) Click here for 13 photos >>

Reference Articles

interpoint (interword separation)Hokuryu Melon Producers Association / Feature Articles
 

◇ Photography and Editing: Noboru Terauchi Reporting and Writing: Ikuko Terauchi

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