KOINOBORI 2020

When people see carp streamers hoisted into the sky this May their first thought is probably about celebrating Children's Day on 5 May.  But this year in particular it is just as important to remember that the carp is an ancient symbol of strength and perserverance.  The original Chinese legend describes a carp which swam against currents and lept up waterfalls to reach the headwaters, and was then rewarded by the Gods by being transformed into a dragon in the sky.  This year at SasuIchi we have a new 8-meter flagpole with arrow-spoked wheels (YAGURUMA), a ball-shaped spinning vane (KAITENKYUU) and five carp streamers (thank you to NINGYO TSUKAMOTO for the new green and orange ones!).  We fly these flags as a symbol of hope and vitality for Sasama and Japan in these trying times.

五月の空になびく鯉のぼりを見ると、子供の日のお祝いを思い浮かべるでしょう。しかし、特に今年は、鯉は古来より強さや忍耐の象徴だったということも思い出したいですね。古代中国の神話によると、竜門の滝を飛び越えて激流を登り切った鯉は天の龍になると言われています。2020年サスイチの空には、高さ８メートルの新しい竿に、矢車、回転球、そして５匹の鯉のぼりが泳いでいます。(みどりくんとオレンジくんは人形店塚本さんのお蔭です！) 悩みを抱える現在、サスチから笹間と日本に向けて鯉のぼりを高く掲げたいのです。希望と活力のシンボルとして。