For the eighth year in a row, Uwajimaya Beaverton Plaza, Friends of Japan in Oregon and families in our community will celebrate Children’s Day, a Japanese national holiday honoring children, their healthy growth and happiness.
From April 21 through May 20, some of Oregon's biggest koinobori, Japanese colorful carp banners, will fly high for all to see and enjoy.
The banners represent growth among children. In Japanese legend, a carp swimming upstream becomes a dragon. Through the carp banner displays and other banners of famous heroes, families express their wish for their children’s continued healthy growth, strength and success.
Children’s day is a national Japanese holiday celebrated on May.
In Japanese, the word koinobori means “carp streamer” and represent the fish in many different colors. These carp- shaped wind socks are traditionally flown in Japan in celebration of Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day.
In Japanese culture, carp are considered the "most spirited" fish who fight their way upstream using their strength and determination, overcoming all obstacles in their path. Because of this combination of power and dedication, they represent courage and goal achievement. Traditionally, these qualities were highly desirable for boys. The koinobori were flown every year on May 5 to inspire these qualities. In 1948, Boy’s Day was changed to Children’s Day and made a national holiday. Today, the flying of the koinobori is done to honor the future of all boys and girls in hopes that they up healthy and strong.
Uwajimaya's Children's Day celebration is sponsored by the Friends of Japan in Oregon, whose mission is to nurture and promote the cultural arts of Japan. The group also helps to grow and strengthen Oregon's Japanese community and serves as a coordination and assistance organization for many of the smaller Japan/Japanese-related community organizations, artists, schools and groups in the state.
Uwajimaya in Beaverton, Oregon is located at 10500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, 97005
From April 21 through May 20, some of Oregon's biggest koinobori, Japanese colorful carp banners, will fly high for all to see and enjoy.
The banners represent growth among children. In Japanese legend, a carp swimming upstream becomes a dragon. Through the carp banner displays and other banners of famous heroes, families express their wish for their children’s continued healthy growth, strength and success.
In Japanese culture, carp are considered the "most spirited" fish who fight their way upstream using their strength and determination, overcoming all obstacles in their path. Because of this combination of power and dedication, they represent courage and goal achievement. Traditionally, these qualities were highly desirable for boys. The koinobori were flown every year on May 5 to inspire these qualities. In 1948, Boy’s Day was changed to Children’s Day and made a national holiday. Today, the flying of the koinobori is done to honor the future of all boys and girls in hopes that they up healthy and strong.
Uwajimaya's Children's Day celebration is sponsored by the Friends of Japan in Oregon, whose mission is to nurture and promote the cultural arts of Japan. The group also helps to grow and strengthen Oregon's Japanese community and serves as a coordination and assistance organization for many of the smaller Japan/Japanese-related community organizations, artists, schools and groups in the state.
Uwajimaya in Beaverton, Oregon is located at 10500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, 97005
