On the fifth day of the fifth month, Japan celebrates Children’s Day with a visual feast of koi nobori (carp streamers) flying in the skies.  By tradition, individual families hang the colorful streamers and wind socks on a long pole while larger versions are flown by organizations such as Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
Carp Streamers at Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparksCarp Streamers at Ueno Toshogu Shrine in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparksCommunities and businesses, such as the Tokyo Skytree, celebrate with hundreds of carp streamers.
School of Carp Streamers at Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparks

This display, near the Oshinari-hashi Bridge at the Tokyo Skytree, was spectacular.  I’m only sorry I didn’t get to see it in the wind.
Hundreds of Carp Streamers Near Oshinari-hashi Bridge in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparksInterestingly, this tradition actually dates back to the Nara period (710-794 CE) when the holiday was exclusively for boys and fluttering carp flags symbolized the strength, courage, perseverance and fortitude of a father and his sons.  It’s heartening to learn the tradition has evolved to be more inclusive and now recognizes all members of the family.
String of Carp Streamers Near Oshinari-hashi Bridge in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparksChildren’s Day is only one of the four holidays that comprise Golden Week in Japan.  Many people take an additional day or two off work to stretch it into a 10-day vacation.  I was in Tokyo during part of Golden Week and it was noticeably busier than the previous week especially at train stations and popular venues.
The Ueno Toshogu, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, is one of those popular destinations.  In the below photo, one of the komainu, a mythical doglike beast, guards the Golden Shrine.  This magnificent structure dates back to 1627 and enshrines 3 shoguns.
Komainu Guards Golden Shrine at Ueno Toshogu in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparks

Here’s a closer look at the beautifully gilded Worship Hall.
Beautifully Gilded Worship Hall at Ueno Toshogu Shrine in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparksOver 200 majestic stone lanterns were dedicated to the shrine by feudal lords.
Stone Lanterns at Ueno Toshogu Shrine in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparksTiming was on my side because the Ueno Toshoga Peony Garden, which is only open for about 3 months of the year, was hosting their spring blossom festival.  The beautifully landscaped courtyard garden showcases over 500 peonies.  And, yes, those are paper umbrellas protecting the blooms from the sun!
Peony Blossom Festival at Ueno Toshoga Peony Garden in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparks

According to the Garden’s brochure, “Since ancient times, it [the peony] has been known as the ‘King of the Hundred Flowers, … also called the ‘noble and wealthy’ flower and attracts widespread popularity as a blessed flower that brings people wealth, prosperity, fame and fortune.”

Bright Pink Peony Blooms at Ueno Toshoga Peony Garden in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparks

Closeup of Brilliant Pink Peony Bloom at Ueno Toshoga Peony Garden in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparks

Golden Week is celebrated with numerous special events, activities and promotions.  One of the events held at Tokyo’s Ueno Park included a small street fair and vintage flea market.  Regular readers know how much I love a good vintage market!  Here are a few of the interesting things I spotted there.
Kokeshi Dolls at Vintage Market in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparksTreasures Found at Vintage Market in Tokyo Japan 1   @FanningSparksTreasures Found at Vintage Market in Tokyo Japan 2   @FanningSparksMost exciting was a booth selling vintage kimonos!  I’ll share only these photos as a teaser because the fascinating topic of kimonos definitely deserves a post of its own!
Vintage Kimonos at Thrift Sale in Tokyo Japan   @FanningSparks

Tokyo wasn’t the only place celebrating Golden Week.  The Ishiura Jinja Shrine in the city of Kanazawa held a festival complete with these colorful paper lanterns.
Colorful Festival Lights at Kanazawa Shrine in Japan   @FanningSparksKanazawa is home to the Kenrokuen Gardens which are considered to be one of the three great gardens of Japan.  Kanazawa is also certified as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of crafts and folk art.  This designation, which has been awarded to almost 300 cities around the world, is described by UNESCO as a network with a “common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.”  Kanazawa is globally-renowned as a place where crafts flourish and traditional techniques handed down since the Edo period are actively practiced.  Great gardens and an active craft scene! …there’s a combination I couldn’t resist!
Here are a few photos from Kenrokuen Gardens which were indeed great!
Tea House at Kenrokuen Gardens in Kanazawa Japan   @FanningSparksHanamibashi Bridge at Kenrokuen Gardens in Kanazawa Japan   @FanningSparksKotojitoro Lantern at Kenrokuen Gardens in Kanazawa Japan   @FanningSparks

Nearby gardens, at the Oyama Jinja Shrine and the Gyokusen’inmaru Garden (respectively), were also outstanding.
Gardens at Oyama Jinja Shrine in Kanazawa Japan   @FanningSparksBridge at Gyokusen’inmaru Garden in Kanazawa Japan   @FanningSparks

By the way, I admit I’ve been holding back on all things craft-related for future projects and posts.  Rest assured, Japan did not disappoint in terms of the active presence of traditional crafts, exhibits and artists.  It’s fascinating to me that Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) officially designates Traditional Craft Products throughout the country.
I had the pleasure of investigating dozens of Japanese crafts including origami, woodblock printing, furoshiki, mizhuhiki, kumiko, temari, and yuzen dyeing, to name a few.  Japan has provided an endless source of inspiration!  Stay tuned for more on these topics!
This is the fourth, and final, mini-post from my series of postcards from Japan.
Postcards from Japan #1
Postcards from Japan #2
. Postcards from Japan #3
. Postcards from Japan #4 (this post).
Enjoy,
Peg - FanningSparks Author


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