Boy's Day and Koinobori

Tim and I dropped the kids off at Capoeira for their hour-long class and drove around the area exploring small neighborhoods searching for koinoburi (fish kites) which are flown at many Japanese homes to celebrate Boy's Day on May 5th. They hang one large black carp for the father, one red/pink fish for the mother, and a blue for each boy in the home on a tall pole or on a line. The carp, koi, represents strength because it apparently can "overcome problems".The girls are left out of the fish flag tradition BUT they have their own holiday where traditional dolls are displayed in homes in March. Anyway, we hit the jackpot and found some koinobori by a home and at a small park. It was a sunny, windy, beautiful afternoon and it reminded us why we love living in Okinawa so much. We even made it back to Capoeira to pick up the kids on time! (oh-I found a Japanese white-eye bird,too-my favorite!)