A young boy admires the carp decorating the streets of Tengan

A young boy admires the carp decorating the streets of Tengan (Photo: Michael Flemming)

Kodomo No Hi Along the Tengan River

Children's Day Celebrates The Happiness of Boys

Michael Flemming Apr 29, 2013 - 1 min read

A young boy admires the carp decorating the streets of Tengan

The large black carp represents the father, the red card represents the mother, and the blue carp represents the son

Kodomo No Hi is Children's Day in Japan and is held on the fifth day of the fifth month each year

Local schools and community groups create their own carp for display along the Tengan River

The carp streamers are hung for the entire holiday period known as Golden Week that culminates with Children's Day

This colorful carp is a creation of local Tengan children

Many of the large hand decorated carp have large open mouths to allow the wind to fill it with life

The Tengan community crossroad is located at the intersection of Routes 75 and 224 along the Tengan River in Uruma City

Communities across Okinawa and Japan will be hanging carp during the first week of May to celebrate Golden Week. The carp represents the Children's Day or Kodomo No HI that is held on May 5 each year.

Michael Flemming

Michael Flemming @michael.flemming

I'm a wanderer in Okinawa turning over every stone I can find. I write, photograph and blog about my favorite finds here in Japan's southernmost prefecture.