Monday, April 20, 2020
Carp streamers are swimming merrily in the blue spring sky.
Magnificent carp streamers
A large family of 15
The carp streamers at the home of Yasunori Watanabe (57 years old) in Furusaku, Hokuryu Town are a large family of 15, including streamers!
Carp streamers are set up around April 1st every year and brightly light up the sky until May 5th, with the hope that children will grow up healthy and happy.
The carp streamers have been passed down through the generations since the first Boy's Day celebration for their son Hayato, who is now 34 years old.
The tree that serves as the support pole for this carp streamer, about 15 meters high, was cut down and transported from the mountains of Edaibetsu by young people in town two years ago to commemorate the birth of the owner's grandson, Taiga.
The largest of the 15 carp is a whopping 8 meters long. The rainbow-colored carp is apparently a Hawaiian carp.
Yasunori Watanabe's story
"Today, the sky is clear and there is a nice breeze, making it a perfect day for carp streamers.
On rainy days, I make sure to take them in. There are a lot of them, and they're heavy, so it's quite difficult to remove them.
"As our family grows with the addition of our children and grandchildren, the number of carp increases, and we even received some as gifts, so we now have a large family," says Watanabe with a gentle smile.
With prayers for the healthy growth and happiness of children,
A large, friendly family of carp swims leisurely and vividly in the blue sky.
With boundless love, gratitude and prayers...
Other photos
・Carp streamers dancing in the blue sky (at Yasunori Watanabe's home) Photos (13 photos) here >>
Reference articles
・Hokuryu Melon Producers Association Feature Articles
◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi
