Kawado Childrens Matsuri

Thursday was the annual Childrens Matsuri acroos the river in Kawado. As well as a small mikoshi, the kids pull a small float of a family of Enko, the local name for Kappa.

The matsuri begins, as all matsuris should, with a ceremony in the local shrine. This year it seemed to be better attended than last.

And then they are off, parading the mikoshi and float around the village to the accompaniement of drum and flute.

I dont have the stats to hand right now, but the birth-rate here in the countryside is just about sustainable. Its in the cities, Tokyo especially, that the birth rate is way below the level needed to sustain the population.

Anyway, the kids had a great time, and if they didnt then their parents did

Children's Day Koinobori

Today is Children's Day, and for the past week or so the koinobori, carp streamers, have been flying around Japan.

Our local Chamber of Commerce puts up 2 strings of them across the Gonokawa river.

This is the spot where the Suijin Matsuri will take place on May 5th.

Though it is called Childrens Day, really its Boys Day as the girls celebrate Hina Matsuri, the Doll Festival.

The carp symbolize endurance and strength as they swim upstream.

Colorful Koi

For the past week or two the Koi have been erected throughout Japan in anticipation of Children's Day on May 5th. The koi are erected by families with sons as the koi represent strength and endurance.

Just upstream from us the town of Sakurae strings 2 lines of koi across the river at the site of the years most important matsuri, the Suijin Matsuri, which is held on May 5th.

Most koi though can be found in small groups flying from poles outside peoples houses.

To underscore that it's really Boy's Day, not Children's Day, some people put up banners with the koi,or sometimes instead of the koi. The banners display famous warriors and warlords. This one has Ieyasu, Hideyoshi, and Nobunaga, among others.