An Old Paper Koi Nobori: Hand Painted Festival Banner

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
57" x 19", 145 cm x 48 cm

This beautifully fashioned, hand painted, paper koinobori or carp flag is said to be from northern Miyagi prefecture in Japan's rural northeastern or Tohoku region.

It is beautifully constructed with its fins attached in a way that they will flutter in the breeze when it is flown outside a home. The scales, in particular, with their gradient tones,  evoke those of a real carp: the painting of this koinobori is particularly strong and decisive. Its intensely painted eye also adds to a kind of life like presence.

Flags such as these were first flown on boy's day, a celebration that has since been changed to include all children and it is celebrated on May 5th of each year. Originally these carp images were flown outside the home with the largest carp representing the father of the household and each other son in the house was represented by a smaller carp according to their place in the family.

This one shows a bit of loss to a certain area, too minor to discuss. As well, there is a faint stain on the head area (shown) and some left-to-right lines of loss to the paint, probably due to folding, shown on a detail image, and, again, these are not visually distracting or of concern.

It is beautiful and with its hand painted details it makes for a stunning display.

Recommended.