May 5^th is “Children’s Day”.  The name itself can be a bit misleading seeing that all of the celebrations are centered around boys.  As is done at households with girls during the girl’s festivities in March, households with boys put up decorative displays.  Inside the house you will find displays of "yoroi" and "kabuto" (protective armour and helmets that soldiers –what we westerners think of as samurai- used to wear).  Outside, big colourful carp “koi” streamers are flown at the houses of families with boys.  The significance of the koi is that koi, being strong fish able to climb waterfalls, are symbols of good health and strength for the boys. 

Yachiyo puts up a whole bunch of these carp streamers - see the Spring in Yachiyo page for pictures.