#sekku

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Early Summer/ May

Japanese Name: Kodomo no Hi/ Tango no Sekku/ Shobu no Sekku/ Ayame no Hi/ Koinobori/ Yaguruma/ Hiryu Fukinagashi

English Name: Children’s Day/ Beginning Horse Festival/ Iris Festival/ Day of the Iris/ Carp Streamers/ Arrow-spoked Wheel/ Flying Dragon Streamer

   Children's Day (こどもの日, or Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

   Tango no Sekku (端午の節句) is one the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku . It is the Japanese version of Double Fifth and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. Tan means "beginning" and go means "Horse", referring to the Chinese zodiac name for the fifth lunar month. Sekku means a seasonal festival. It marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season.

   Shobu no Sekku (菖蒲の節句), also known as Ayame no Hi (菖蒲の節句), the festival of the irises (in the old Japanese calendar, the day would fall closer to the summer solstice than it does in the modern calendar). The iris flower or flag has long been used in purifying rituals on this day, by farmers, townspeople, and courtiers. At least as far back as the 12th century this was a day for gathering iris leaves and flowers for use in the bath, as an addition to food and drink, and in decorations on the roofs of houses and shops. The iris bath is still popular on this day in Japan. During the 12th or 13th century the word "shobu" came to be associated with its homonym meaning "military spirit", and people started celebrating by decorating paper samurai helmets with irises. Thus it became a day for boys, as the third day of the third month was a special day for girls, Hina matsuri. In the 18th and 19th centuries, boys would stage battles using iris leaves as swords. One military tradition that has evolved and persisted, though, is the setting up of a special display celebrating warrior values and Japanese heroes. It may have begun with a custom of making helmets out of iris leaves, which evolved into the crafting of beautiful lacquered display helmets for the day, along with painted banners and displays of real weapons.  

   Koinobori (鯉のぼり), meaning "carp streamer" in Japanese, are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Tango no sekku, a traditional calendrical event which is now designated a national holiday; Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi, 子供の日).  A typical koinobori set consists of, from the top of the pole down, a:

Pair of arrow-spoked wheels (矢車 yaguruma) with a ball-shaped spinning vane

Flying-dragon streamer (飛龍吹流し hiryū fukinagashi) that looks like a windsock. 

The number and meaning of the carp socks or koinobori that fly beneath the streamer has changed over time.

Traditionally, the set would contain a black koinobori representing the father, followed by a smaller, red koinobori representing his eldest son. If more boys were in the household, an additional blue, green and then, depending on the region, either purple or orange koinobori were added.

After the government's decree that converted Boy's Day (Tango no Sekku) into the present Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi), the holiday came to celebrate the happiness of both boys and girls. As a result, the red koinobori came to represent the mother of the family and it is not uncommon for the color to be varied as pink. Similarly, the other colors and sizes of carp came to represent all the family's children, both sons and daughters.

At present, the koinobori are commonly flown above the roofs of houses with children, with the biggest (black) koinobori for the father, next biggest (red or pink) for the mother, and an additional, smaller carp of a different color for each child in decreasing order by age.

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Source 4)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Early Summer/ May

Japanese Name: Kodomo no Hi/ Tango no Sekku/ Ayame no Hi/ Kabuto/ Tousei-gusoku

English Name: Children’s Day/ Beginning Horse Festival/ Day of the Iris/ Samurai Helmet/ Modern Samurai Armor

   Children's Day (こどもの日, or Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

   Tango no Sekku (端午の節句) is one the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku . It is the Japanese version of Double Fifth and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. Tan means "beginning" and go means "Horse", referring to the Chinese zodiac name for the fifth lunar month. Sekku means a seasonal festival. It marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season.

   Shobu no Sekku (菖蒲の節句), also known as Ayame no Hi (菖蒲の節句), the festival of the irises (in the old Japanese calendar, the day would fall closer to the summer solstice than it does in the modern calendar). The iris flower or flag has long been used in purifying rituals on this day, by farmers, townspeople, and courtiers. At least as far back as the 12th century this was a day for gathering iris leaves and flowers for use in the bath, as an addition to food and drink, and in decorations on the roofs of houses and shops. The iris bath is still popular on this day in Japan. During the 12th or 13th century the word "shobu" came to be associated with its homonym meaning "military spirit", and people started celebrating by decorating paper samurai helmets with irises. Thus it became a day for boys, as the third day of the third month was a special day for girls, Hina matsuri. In the 18th and 19th centuries, boys would stage battles using iris leaves as swords. One military tradition that has evolved and persisted, though, is the setting up of a special display celebrating warrior values and Japanese heroes. It may have begun with a custom of making helmets out of iris leaves, which evolved into the crafting of beautiful lacquered display helmets for the day, along with painted banners and displays of real weapons.  

   Kabuto (兜, 冑) is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors, and in later periods, they became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. Families often display a traditional Japanese military helmet, kabuto, due to their tradition as symbols of strength and vitality.

    Tousei-gusoku (当世 具足),or “modern” Japanese armor, is made from iron plates (ita-mono) instead of individual scales (kozane). Tosei-gusoku became prominent starting in the 1500s due to the advent of firearms, new fighting tactics and the need for additional protection. When the days of war and battles began in Japan around 14th century, improved skilled craftsmen began to make miniature helmets and armor for Samurai warriors to display them in their houses and pray for war fortune and prosperity.  By around Edo Period (1603-1868), it seems to have become a trend for Samurai families to display gorgeous miniature armor sets inside houses along with Samurai-related miniature accessories, such as bows and arrows, swords, or labarums with a family crest designed on it. 

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Source 4)(Text Source 5)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Early Summer/ May

Japanese Name: Kodomo no Hi/ Tango no Sekku/ Ayame no Hi/ Kabuto

English Name: Children’s Day/ Beginning Horse Festival/ Day of the Iris/ Samurai Helmet/

   Children's Day (こどもの日, or Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

   Tango no Sekku (端午の節句) is one the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku . It is the Japanese version of Double Fifth and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. Tan means "beginning" and go means "Horse", referring to the Chinese zodiac name for the fifth lunar month. Sekku means a seasonal festival. It marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season.

   Shobu no Sekku (菖蒲の節句), also known as Ayame no Hi (菖蒲の節句), the festival of the irises (in the old Japanese calendar, the day would fall closer to the summer solstice than it does in the modern calendar). The iris flower or flag has long been used in purifying rituals on this day, by farmers, townspeople, and courtiers. At least as far back as the 12th century this was a day for gathering iris leaves and flowers for use in the bath, as an addition to food and drink, and in decorations on the roofs of houses and shops. The iris bath is still popular on this day in Japan. During the 12th or 13th century the word "shobu" came to be associated with its homonym meaning "military spirit", and people started celebrating by decorating paper samurai helmets with irises. Thus it became a day for boys, as the third day of the third month was a special day for girls, Hina matsuri. In the 18th and 19th centuries, boys would stage battles using iris leaves as swords. One military tradition that has evolved and persisted, though, is the setting up of a special display celebrating warrior values and Japanese heroes. It may have begun with a custom of making helmets out of iris leaves, which evolved into the crafting of beautiful lacquered display helmets for the day, along with painted banners and displays of real weapons.

   Kabuto (兜, 冑) is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors, and in later periods, they became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. Families often display a traditional Japanese military helmet, kabuto, due to their tradition as symbols of strength and vitality.

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Source 4)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Early Summer/ May

Japanese Name: Kodomo no Hi/ Tango no Sekku/ Shobu no Sekku/ Ayame no Hi/ Shobu

English Name: Children’s Day/ Beginning Horse Festival/ Iris Festival/ Day of the Iris/ Sweet Flag Iris

  Children's Day (こどもの日, or Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

  Tango no Sekku (端午の節句) is one the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku . It is the Japanese version of Double Fifth and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. Tan means "beginning" and go means "Horse", referring to the Chinese zodiac name for the fifth lunar month. Sekku means a seasonal festival. It marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season.

  Shobu no Sekku (菖蒲の節句), also known as Ayame no Hi (菖蒲の節句), the festival of the irises (in the old Japanese calendar, the day would fall closer to the summer solstice than it does in the modern calendar). The iris flower or flag has long been used in purifying rituals on this day, by farmers, townspeople, and courtiers. At least as far back as the 12th century this was a day for gathering iris leaves and flowers for use in the bath, as an addition to food and drink, and in decorations on the roofs of houses and shops. The iris bath is still popular on this day in Japan. During the 12th or 13th century the word "shobu" came to be associated with its homonym meaning "military spirit", and people started celebrating by decorating paper samurai helmets with irises. Thus it became a day for boys, as the third day of the third month was a special day for girls, Hina matsuri. In the 18th and 19th centuries, boys would stage battles using iris leaves as swords. One military tradition that has evolved and persisted, though, is the setting up of a special display celebrating warrior values and Japanese heroes. It may have begun with a custom of making helmets out of iris leaves, which evolved into the crafting of beautiful lacquered display helmets for the day, along with painted banners and displays of real weapons.

  Ayame (菖蒲), or Shobu, are types of irises that are said to give protection from evil spirits that were abroad on the fifth day of the fifth month. In the Imperial court, elegant decorations were made from the early-flowering Iris tectorum, but as the festival has evolved into Children’s Day, we are much more likely to see hana shobu on display. Their lower petals are larger and upper standards are much shorter than the slender ayame type of iris. Also, their sword-shaped leaves are narrow and ridged. Traditionally, boys bathe with iris leaves on this day, as the plant symbolizes the warrior spirit.

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Source 4)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Early Summer/ May

Japanese Name: Kodomo no Hi/ Tango no Sekku/ Ayame no Hi/ Ayame

English Name: Children’s Day/ Beginning Horse Festival/ Day of the Iris/ Iris

   Children's Day (こどもの日, or Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

   Tango no Sekku (端午の節句) is one the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku . It is the Japanese version of Double Fifth and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. Tan means "beginning" and go means "Horse", referring to the Chinese zodiac name for the fifth lunar month. Sekku means a seasonal festival. It marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season.

   Shobu no Sekku (菖蒲の節句), also known as Ayame no Hi (菖蒲の節句), the festival of the irises (in the old Japanese calendar, the day would fall closer to the summer solstice than it does in the modern calendar). The iris flower or flag has long been used in purifying rituals on this day, by farmers, townspeople, and courtiers. At least as far back as the 12th century this was a day for gathering iris leaves and flowers for use in the bath, as an addition to food and drink, and in decorations on the roofs of houses and shops. The iris bath is still popular on this day in Japan. During the 12th or 13th century the word "shobu" came to be associated with its homonym meaning "military spirit", and people started celebrating by decorating paper samurai helmets with irises. Thus it became a day for boys, as the third day of the third month was a special day for girls, Hina matsuri. In the 18th and 19th centuries, boys would stage battles using iris leaves as swords. One military tradition that has evolved and persisted, though, is the setting up of a special display celebrating warrior values and Japanese heroes. It may have begun with a custom of making helmets out of iris leaves, which evolved into the crafting of beautiful lacquered display helmets for the day, along with painted banners and displays of real weapons.

   Ayame (菖蒲), or Shobu, are types of irises that are said to give protection from evil spirits that were abroad on the fifth day of the fifth month. In the Imperial court, elegant decorations were made from the early-flowering Iris tectorum, but as the festival has evolved into Children’s Day, we are much more likely to see hana shobu on display. Their lower petals are larger and upper standards are much shorter than the slender ayame type of iris. Also, their sword-shaped leaves are narrow and ridged. Traditionally, boys bathe with iris leaves on this day, as the plant symbolizes the warrior spirit.

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Source 4)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Early Summer/ May

Japanese Name: Kodomo no Hi/ Tango no Sekku/ Shobu no Sekku/ Ayame no Hi/ Koinobori/ Yaguruma/ Hiryu Fukinagashi/ Kintaro/ Momotaro

English Name: Children’s Day/ Beginning Horse Festival/ Iris Festival/ Day of the Iris/ Carp Streamers/ Arrow-spoked Wheel/ Flying-Dragon Streamer/ Golden Boy/ Peach Boy

   Children's Day (こどもの日, or Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

   Tango no Sekku (端午の節句) is one the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku . It is the Japanese version of Double Fifth and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. Tan means "beginning" and go means "Horse", referring to the Chinese zodiac name for the fifth lunar month. Sekku means a seasonal festival. It marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season.

   Shobu no Sekku (菖蒲の節句), also known as Ayame no Hi (菖蒲の節句), the festival of the irises (in the old Japanese calendar, the day would fall closer to the summer solstice than it does in the modern calendar). The iris flower or flag has long been used in purifying rituals on this day, by farmers, townspeople, and courtiers. At least as far back as the 12th century this was a day for gathering iris leaves and flowers for use in the bath, as an addition to food and drink, and in decorations on the roofs of houses and shops. The iris bath is still popular on this day in Japan. During the 12th or 13th century the word "shobu" came to be associated with its homonym meaning "military spirit", and people started celebrating by decorating paper samurai helmets with irises. Thus it became a day for boys, as the third day of the third month was a special day for girls, Hina matsuri. In the 18th and 19th centuries, boys would stage battles using iris leaves as swords. One military tradition that has evolved and persisted, though, is the setting up of a special display celebrating warrior values and Japanese heroes. It may have begun with a custom of making helmets out of iris leaves, which evolved into the crafting of beautiful lacquered display helmets for the day, along with painted banners and displays of real weapons.

   Koinobori (鯉のぼり), meaning "carp streamer" in Japanese, are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Tango no sekku, a traditional calendrical event which is now designated a national holiday; Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi, 子供の日).  A typical koinobori set consists of, from the top of the pole down, a:

Pair of arrow-spoked wheels (矢車 yaguruma) with a ball-shaped spinning vane

Flying-dragon streamer (飛龍吹流し hiryū fukinagashi) that looks like a windsock. 

The number and meaning of the carp socks or koinobori that fly beneath the streamer has changed over time.

Traditionally, the set would contain a black koinobori representing the father, followed by a smaller, red koinobori representing his eldest son. If more boys were in the household, an additional blue, green and then, depending on the region, either purple or orange koinobori were added.

After the government's decree that converted Boy's Day (Tango no Sekku) into the present Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi), the holiday came to celebrate the happiness of both boys and girls. As a result, the red koinobori came to represent the mother of the family and it is not uncommon for the color to be varied as pink. Similarly, the other colors and sizes of carp came to represent all the family's children, both sons and daughters.

At present, the koinobori are commonly flown above the roofs of houses with children, with the biggest (black) koinobori for the father, next biggest (red or pink) for the mother, and an additional, smaller carp of a different color for each child in decreasing order by age.

     Momotaro (桃太郎), meaning “Peach Boy,” is a famous children’s story about a boy found in a large peach by a childless old couple. He grows into a valiant youth who, with the help of three animal companions, slays the local ogre and retrieves his treasure for his parents. This story became particularly important as an emblem of modern Japanese nationhood in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Japan seemed to be “growing up” very fast.

     Kintaro (金太郎), meaning “Golden Boy,” is a heroically strong little boy. He grew up to be the companion of an 11th-century warrior, Minamoto no Yorimitsu. Kintaro supposedly was born in the mountains; his mother was a wild woman (a legendary type of being). In woodblocks, the mother and son are often shown, contrasting her white skin with his red skin.

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Source 4)(Text Source 5)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Early Summer/ May

Japanese Name: Kodomo no Hi/ Tango no Sekku/ Ayame no Hi/ Gogatsu-Ningyo/ Gogatsu-Ningyo Dan/ Midori no Mousen/ Tousei-Gusoku/ Shunobako-Kazari/ Yumi-tachi/ Tachi/ Katana/ Yumi/ Bonbori/ Byobu/ Kashiwa-mochi/ Sanbo/ Shobu Omiki/ Chimaki/ Chirimen Kazari Uma/ Housho-ba Hakuba/ Jindaiko/ Hariko no Tora/ Isamu Minamoto Tora/ Koinobori/ Yaguruma/ Hiryu Fukinagashi

English Name: Children’s Day/ Beginning Horse Festival/ Day of the Iris/ May Dolls/ May Dolls Platform/ Green Carpet/ Modern Samurai Armor/ Decorated Storage Box/ Bow & Long Sword/ Long Sword/ Japanese Sword/ Bow & Arrows/ Pedestal Lanterns/ Gold Folding Screen/ Oak Leaf Mochi/ Wooden Offering Table/ Sacred Iris Wine/ Bamboo Wrapped Mochi/ Crepe Ornamental Horse/ Mulberry Paper White Horse/ War Drum/ Paper-mache Tiger/ Courage Giving Tiger/ Carp Streamer/ Arrow-spoked Wheel/ Flying-Dragon Streamer   

   Children's Day (こどもの日, or Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times. 

   Tango no Sekku (端午の節句) is one the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku . It is the Japanese version of Double Fifth and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. Tan means "beginning" and go means "Horse", referring to the Chinese zodiac name for the fifth lunar month. Sekku means a seasonal festival. It marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season. 

   Shobu no Sekku (菖蒲の節句), also known as Ayame no Hi (菖蒲の節句), the festival of the irises (in the old Japanese calendar, the day would fall closer to the summer solstice than it does in the modern calendar). The iris flower or flag has long been used in purifying rituals on this day, by farmers, townspeople, and courtiers. At least as far back as the 12th century this was a day for gathering iris leaves and flowers for use in the bath, as an addition to food and drink, and in decorations on the roofs of houses and shops. The iris bath is still popular on this day in Japan. During the 12th or 13th century the word "shobu" came to be associated with its homonym meaning "military spirit", and people started celebrating by decorating paper samurai helmets with irises. Thus it became a day for boys, as the third day of the third month was a special day for girls, Hina matsuri. In the 18th and 19th centuries, boys would stage battles using iris leaves as swords. One military tradition that has evolved and persisted, though, is the setting up of a special display celebrating warrior values and Japanese heroes. It may have begun with a custom of making helmets out of iris leaves, which evolved into the crafting of beautiful lacquered display helmets for the day, along with painted banners and displays of real weapons.   

    Gogatsu-ningyo dan (五月人形壇) is the platform on which the May dolls, a.k.a. Gogatsu-ningyo (五月人形), are arranged on various tiers. It’s often covered in a green carpet called the midori no mousen (緑の毛氈). 

On the top tier, a tousei-gusoku (当世 具足),or “modern” Japanese armor, is displayed atop a shunobako-kazari (収納箱飾り,decorated storage box) at the center, with a yumi-tachi (弓太刀, “bow and long sword”) set on either side. In this decoration, the tachi (太刀, long sword) is a katana (刀, Japanese sword) to the left of the viewer, while the yumi (弓, bow and arrows) is to the right of the viewer. On the ends, are bonbori (雪洞, pedestal lanterns) and a byobu (屏風, golden folding screen) is open behind all the items.

On the middle tier, an offering of kashiwa mochi (かしわ餅, oak-leaf mochi) on a sanbo (三方, wooden offering table), 2 bottles of shobu omiki (菖蒲 お神酒, sacred iris sake) on a sanbo, and an offering of chimaki (粽, mochi wrapped in bamboo leaves) on a sanbo.

On the bottom tier, starting left, there is a chirimen kazari uma (ちりめん飾り馬, crepe ornamental horse), also known as a housho-ba hakuba(奉書馬 白馬, mulberry paper white horse), is meant to represent the Emperor and mythical power. A jindaiko (陣太鼓, Japanese war drum) is in the center position. Lastly, on the right, there is a hariko no tora (張り子の寅, paper-mache tiger), also known as an isamu minamoto tora (勇源虎, courage-giving tiger), which is meant to be a reminder of the Japanese relationship to Korea.

     Koinobori (鯉のぼり), meaning "carp streamer" in Japanese, are carp-shaped wind socks traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Tango no sekku, a traditional calendrical event which is now designated a national holiday; Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi, 子供の日).  A typical koinobori set consists of, from the top of the pole down, a: 

Pair of arrow-spoked wheels (矢車 yaguruma) with a ball-shaped spinning vane, 

flying-dragon streamer (飛龍吹流し hiryū fukinagashi) that looks like a windsock. 

The number and meaning of the carp socks or koinobori that fly beneath the streamer has changed over time. 

Traditionally, the set would contain a black koinobori representing the father, followed by a smaller, red koinobori representing his eldest son. If more boys were in the household, an additional blue, green and then, depending on the region, either purple or orange koinobori were added. 

After the government's decree that converted Boy's Day (Tango no Sekku) into the present Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi), the holiday came to celebrate the happiness of both boys and girls. As a result, the red koinobori came to represent the mother of the family and it is not uncommon for the color to be varied as pink. Similarly, the other colors and sizes of carp came to represent all the family's children, both sons and daughters. 

At present, the koinobori are commonly flown above the roofs of houses with children, with the biggest (black) koinobori for the father, next biggest (red or pink) for the mother, and an additional, smaller carp of a different color for each child in decreasing order by age.

(Text Source 1)(Text Source 2)(Text Source 3)(Text Sources 4, 5 & 6)(Text Source 7)

Essential Japanese Seasonal Decorations - Summer

Seasonality: Early Summer/ May

Japanese Name: Kodomo no Hi/ Tango no Sekku/ Ayame no Hi/ Kabuto

English Name: Children’s Day/ Beginning Horse Festival/ Day of the Iris/ Samurai Helmet/

   Children's Day (こどもの日, or Kodomo no Hi) is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5, the fifth day of the fifth month, and is the final celebration in Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948. It has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

   Tango no Sekku (端午の節句) is one the five annual ceremonies that were traditionally held at the Japanese imperial court called Gosekku . It is the Japanese version of Double Fifth and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan switched to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. Tan means "beginning" and go means "Horse", referring to the Chinese zodiac name for the fifth lunar month. Sekku means a seasonal festival. It marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season.

   Shobu no Sekku (菖蒲の節句), also known as Ayame no Hi (菖蒲の節句), the festival of the irises (in the old Japanese calendar, the day would fall closer to the summer solstice than it does in the modern calendar). The iris flower or flag has long been used in purifying rituals on this day, by farmers, townspeople, and courtiers. At least as far back as the 12th century this was a day for gathering iris leaves and flowers for use in the bath, as an addition to food and drink, and in decorations on the roofs of houses and shops. The iris bath is still popular on this day in Japan. During the 12th or 13th century the word "shobu" came to be associated with its homonym meaning "military spirit", and people started celebrating by decorating paper samurai helmets with irises. Thus it became a day for boys, as the third day of the third month was a special day for girls, Hina matsuri. In the 18th and 19th centuries, boys would stage battles using iris leaves as swords. One military tradition that has evolved and persisted, though, is the setting up of a special display celebrating warrior values and Japanese heroes. It may have begun with a custom of making helmets out of iris leaves, which evolved into the crafting of beautiful lacquered display helmets for the day, along with painted banners and displays of real weapons.

     Kabuto (兜, 冑) is a type of helmet first used by ancient Japanese warriors, and in later periods, they became an important part of the traditional Japanese armour worn by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. Families often display a traditional Japanese military helmet, kabuto, due to their tradition as symbols of strength and vitality.

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