Beagle Judo Japan Champ
Presenting the Beagle Featherweight Title holder, Chige-chan!
Life in Japan and Other Tales from the Far Side of the World
These carp streamers are flying over the river near our beach-house in Shimoda. They are set up every year just before the start of Golden Week. Here's a short description of their symbolic significance:
These are flown in Japan on May 5 (Children's day holiday).
Japanese carp streamers were developed mid 18th century in Edo era to celebrate birth of son. The design was inspired by a Chinese legend that a strong carp can become a dragon if it goes up a waterfall. Parents wished their son would become a strong man like a carp going up falls.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 4 September 2000
(taken from this website)