Koinobori Children’s Day

Families are invited to visit the Museum of Fine Arts to learn about and celebrate Koinobori, the Japanese national holiday that translates to “carp streamers.” Koinobori is Japan’s Children’s Day, traditionally celebrated on May 5th each year, where communities gather for a festival filled with colorful carp kites. The MFA will honor this holiday in conjunction with the museum’s special exhibition, Kimono: The Triumph of Japanese Dress, where similar imagery and symbolism often seen on carp kites can be found. These carp kites (also known as carp windsocks or streamers) are created to represent each family member and celebrate children and their well-being. When a family’s carp kites are hung together on one pole, they symbolize strength, determination, and perseverance—qualities embodied by the carp itself.