[For Kids] Fun Facts & Trivia Quiz about Koinobori (Carp Streamers)
In May, there’s a long holiday called Golden Week, and many families—both adults and children—look forward to it, don’t they?
On Children’s Day, which falls on the last day of Golden Week, you’ll often see koinobori (carp streamers) fluttering grandly against the blue sky all across Japan.
In this article, we’ll introduce trivia and fun quiz questions about koinobori.
They’re designed for children, but there are plenty of facts that even adults might not know.
Be sure to enjoy them together with your kids!
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[For Kids] Fun Facts & Trivia Quiz about Koinobori (Carp Streamers) (1–10)
Koinobori—why was the carp chosen as the motif?
- Because vivid colors were preferred
- to symbolize the koi’s strong vitality
- Because the image of a carp swimming upstream represents growth and success.
See the answer
Because the image of a carp swimming upstream represents growth and success.
The reason carp streamers (koinobori) are modeled after carp comes from the Chinese legend of “Climbing the Dragon Gate.” In this tale, a carp bravely swims up a river’s rapids and eventually transforms into a dragon. Symbolizing overcoming hardship and achieving success, the story conveys wishes for children’s healthy growth. Inspired by the carp’s image, Japan began displaying koinobori.
Is the custom of displaying carp streamers unique to Japan?
- A custom unique to Japan.
- There are similar customs in other Asian countries.
- It is a custom that can be seen in any country around the world.
See the answer
A custom unique to Japan.
The origin of the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku) is in China, but the custom of displaying carp streamers (koinobori) is unique to Japan. While various Asian countries have similar customs—albeit in different forms—that pray for children’s health and growth, the koinobori themselves are a distinctly Japanese tradition.
Are you only allowed to display carp streamers until May 5?
- Clean up on May 5
- There are no particular rules.
See the answer
There are no particular rules.
There aren’t any strict rules about how long to display koinobori carp streamers. In many cases, they’re put up before Golden Week and kept up until Children’s Day on May 5, but some regions keep them up longer. In short, it depends on family and local customs, and it isn’t limited strictly to May 5.
[For Kids] Fun Facts & Trivia Quiz about Koinobori (Carp Streamers) (11–20)
Koinobori must be displayed outdoors. True or false?
- ◯
- ☓
See the answer
☓
While it is a common tradition to display carp streamers (koinobori) outdoors, it is not strictly necessary to do so. In places with limited space, such as apartments and condominiums, people often celebrate in different ways, like displaying small koinobori indoors. What matters most is the wish for children’s healthy growth and happiness.
Which family member does the red koi nobori, the higoi, represent?
- mother
- father
- child
See the answer
mother
Koinobori symbolize the family: typically, the black koinobori represents the father, the red koinobori represents the mother, and the smaller koinobori in blue, green, and other colors represent the children.
Which country is the origin of koinobori?
- Japan
- China
- South Korea
See the answer
Japan
Koinobori originated in Japan. They are displayed on Tango no Sekku, the Boys’ Festival in May, to pray for children’s health and growth. Although the festival itself has roots in China’s Duanwu Festival, the custom of displaying koinobori is a uniquely Japanese tradition.
At a certain point, carp streamers became colorful due to a particular event. What was the trigger for that change?
- Advancements in dye technology
- The spread of five-colored paper
- Tokyo Olympics
See the answer
Tokyo Olympics
Speaking of the Tokyo Olympics, the 2020 Games are still fresh in our memories, but this is a story about Japan’s first Olympics, held in 1964. Until then, koi nobori (carp streamers) came in just two colors—black and red—but inspired by the colorful Olympic rings, people thought, “Why not make them more colorful?” That’s how blue and green carp streamers came to be.