Thank you very much for the excellent posting about koinobori.
Especially poignant for me as we had a new grandson just before Boy's
Day and we flew many of the old banners of that we had collected in
Japan in this strictly American middle-class neighborhood. They are
very bright have strong visages of warriors, villains and depict acts
of bravery.
bright banners in May
flapping in the gusts --
neighbors stop to stare
-zeyda-
I especially like your reference to mothball smells wafting. Smell is
the most elemental of our senses.
Issa is always supremely perceptive, and just intellective enough with
the sensitivity to social distinctions
-----------------------------------------------
On Thu, 5 Jun 1997 12:13:37 +0900 (JST) Takashi Nonin
<nonin@cc.matsuyama-u.ac.jp> writes:
>CARP STREAMERS or Koinobori:
>
>Takashi 's Notes: Koinobori = carp streamers or pennants. The large
>or
>small (50 cm to
>5 meters) banners of cloth fish hoisted in the air to swim on bamboo
>poles around the Boys' Festival (May 5th). Those fish, usually black
>or
>scarlet, are put up anually at the house-gate to celebrate the
>Festival.
>The carp is said to be full of energy and to swim upstream leaping
>beyond
>the waterfall. The family hope that the new-born boy grows strong
>and
>rises to greatness by overcoming hardships. We also celebrate the
>festival by displaying in the alcove dolls of warriors in armour.
>March 3rd is the Girls' Fesival (Hinamatsuri) for the new-born girl.
>Both
>the dolls for the girl or boy are usually bought and given to the
>daughter
>(new mother) by the parents on the spear side. They are expensive,
>ranging
>from \50,000 to \ 500,000 or up. We can get inexpensive ones at such
>discount shops as TOYZARUS. (spelling correct?).
>and others.
>
>Carp streamers
>Over Honolulu
>Where East meets West. -Takashi
>
>Out off the closet
>Carp hoisted high, black and scarlet-
>Waft of mothballs. -Takashi
>
>Son was born at last
>After the two daughters-
>Carp streamers. -Takashi
>
>Of all the carp streamers ku, the following ku of Kyoshi's is
>wel-known:
>
>Kaze fukeba / kuriu ya tonari no / koinobori -Kyoshi
>
>The wind rises
>The neighbour's carp streamers
>Come this way.
>
>Some old masters' ku:
>
>Ki gakurete / meiyo no ie no / nobori kana -Buson
>
>Hidden among the trees
>The house of honour-
>The streamers.
>
>Kojiki machi / towa miezarishi / nobori kana -Issa
>
>The slums
>Don't look like that-
>The streamers.
>
>Regards and a happy haikuing!
>Takashi Nonin <nonin@cc.matsuyama-u.ac.jp>
>
>
>
>