[Koinobori] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts! For Seniors

Last updated:2025/4/27

Certified Care Worker, Nursery Teacherhanauta obasan
Certified care worker and nursery teacher. Eight years of experience working at a welfare facility. Skilled at recreation activities using keyboard instruments. Continuing to do radio calisthenics every morning!

For those looking for quizzes for seniors: This time, we’re bringing you questions about koi nobori (carp streamers).

Koi nobori are displayed on Children’s Day to pray for children’s healthy growth.

Do you know the origin of these carp streamers? In fact, their current way of display has evolved through various historical changes.

Be sure to try this quiz and see how koi nobori have changed over time.

There are also questions about how to display them and about the song, so it’s great for quizzing your grandchildren too!

[Koinobori] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts for Seniors (1–10)

What color is flown at the very top of the koinobori (carp streamers)?

gray
brown
black

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black

Koinobori have colors and the meanings they represent. The color flown at the very top is black, which symbolizes the head of the household or the father.

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What color is raised second for the “koinobori” (carp streamers)?

navy blue
red
light blue

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red

The second displayed color is red. This red carp symbolizes the mother. Displayed after the black carp representing the father, it expresses the strong bond that protects the family.

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On the legend of which country is the custom of displaying “koinobori” (carp streamers) based?

Japan
China
India

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China

The custom of displaying koinobori (carp streamers) is said to originate from a Chinese legend in which a carp climbs the Dragon Gate and becomes a dragon. In Japan, the practice of displaying koinobori was adopted with the wish that children grow up healthy and strong, and that they overcome great difficulties.

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There’s a song about koi-nobori (carp streamers) that begins with “iraka no nami.” What does “iraka” mean?

Carp scales
Flow of the River
Roof shapes and patterns

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Roof shapes and patterns

“Iraka” refers to the undulating ridges and grooves seen on tiled roofs. The phrase “waves of iraka” describes how the roof appears wave-like.

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What color is displayed at the very bottom of the koinobori (carp streamers)?

green
blue
yellow

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blue

As a color symbolizing children, the blue carp is used. This represents the youngest child in the family (especially a boy). As a common custom, blue is often placed at the bottom.

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Children’s Day, when we display carp streamers (koinobori) to wish for children’s growth—on what date is it each year?

May 6
May 5
May 7

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May 5

In Japan, May 5th is celebrated as Children’s Day every year. It’s also designated as a national holiday, and many people enjoy various activities with their families.

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On Children’s Day when carp streamers are displayed, which seasonal festival (sekku) does it correspond to?

peach
Dragon Boat Festival
Tanabata

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Dragon Boat Festival

Children’s Day corresponds to Tango no Sekku (the Boys’ Festival). On this day, people display carp streamers to pray for the family’s health and for children’s growth.

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