April 25, 2009
On the fifth day of the fifth month, families all over Japan hang colorful carp flags (koinobori) along rooftops or flagpoles to signify children's day. Children's day celebrates the future health and success of children. It use to be specifically for boy's, but in recent years, it was changed to include girls as well.
The carp flags symbolize success due to the carp's long life and also represent strength and determination in the same way the carp travels upstream against the current. In some houses, a carp is flown to represent each family member with the father's being the largest at the top and decreasing in size to the youngest child at the bottom.
Julian's studio partner, Miki, invited me and some of my friends to her museum to dye carp flags for children's day.
Miki had already prepared the white carp flags and provided string, rubber bands and pebbles to tie-dye the fabric.
Me, Lauren and Emily decorating our carp-flags
We had a choice between blue or red dye.
Lauren's carp flag.
Masae's carp flag.
Emily's carp flag.
We also were able to spend time with Miki's gorgeous grandson. He is soooooo cute!
Due to technical difficulties, I lost my photos. Special thanks to Lauren for letting me use her wonderful photos.
2 comments:
I want to eat that baby!
Ooooo that looks really fun!
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