Boy's Festival (Tango no Sekku)

Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up Koi-Nobori, carp-like streamers made of paper or cloth, which fill with wind and seem to swim in the air. Together with long red and white ribbons, the carp are hoisted on a bamboo pole, mounted by a pair of gilded pinwheels.

A Koi is flown for each son in the family, a very large one for the eldest, the others ranging down in size.
The Koi has become the symbol of the Boys' Festival because the Japanese consider it the most spirited of fish, so full of energy and power that it can fight its way up swift-running streams and cascades. Because of its strength and determination to overcome all obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals. The Koi is an appropriate symbol to encourage manliness and the overcoming of life's difficulties leading to consequent success.

The boys' dress up and parade through town pulling a small Shrine while chanting to the beat of a Taiko Drum.