Ahead of the Boy's Festival (May 5th), large carp streamers were set up along the promenade on the left bank of the Koizumi River at Shimokaiinji Temple in Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture on April 7th, 2024. Local residents watched in amazement as they energetically swam in groups in the spring breeze.
It has been held every year since 1982 by the Shimokaiinji Parish Youth Association to enliven the spring festival (May 3rd to 5th) at Ogura Shrine (Enmyoji Temple, Oyamazaki Town), which is located on the mountainside on the opposite bank. Nowadays, it is a popular seasonal feature.
Approximately 30 members of the youth association and alumni association participated in the work from 1:00 pm on April 7th. Thick green bamboo that had been cut in a local bamboo forest the day before and cut to a length of about 12 meters was transported by car, a pulley was attached to the end of the bamboo, and a rope was threaded through it to stand it in a special installation location.
A total of 60 fish were attached to the rope in the following order: streamers, common carp, red carp, and children. When I pulled it up, the carp sucked in the wind and swelled to a large size, waving sideways, and I even saw a father taking pictures of his child with carp streamers in the background.
It will be removed on May 12th. Ryuichi Hatta, 46, chairman of the youth association, said, ''As is customary, the local people are waiting for the event.I hope they enjoy it.''
