Childrens Day in Nagoya Japan. Photo

Photographer’s Note

It is almost Childrens day in Japan. I took this shot near Nagoya station and I guess I had to capture the fish moving because of the light conditions and I really didnt have a strong enough flash either.

Why Hang A Carp Streamer? (Koi Nobori)
The carp symbolizes strength and determination. Two desirable characteristics for the Japanese male to be able to meet the challenges life will surely bring.

Children's Day - May 5th: Celebration of Kodomo No Hi

May 5 is the celebration of "Children’s Day", (Kodomo no Hi) also known as "Boys Day". This day is special to children in Japan as it a time to pray for good health and prosperity. Kodomo no Hi is celebrated as a combination of what use to be separate days for “Girls Day” (Hina Matsuri, March 3rd) and “Boys Day” (Tango-no-Sekku, May 5).

Girls Day celebration is marked by displaying dolls which have been handed down through the generations from mother to daughter, and dates back to the Heian Period, about 1,000 years ago. Dolls are arranged on a 5 or 7 tiered stand. At the top of the tier are the Emperor and Empress, followed by court ladies, musicians and servants. "Hishimochi" or rice cakes are served. These rice cakes are red (or pink), white, and green. Red symbolizes the chasing away of evil spirits. White is a symbol of purity, and green symbolizes good health. Bean filled rice cakes are also served.

Boys Day is traditionally celebrated with the flying of carp windsocks or streamers outside of the family home. A carp streamer is hung for each boy in a household. The largest carp streamer is hung in honor of the first born son and the streamers size are smaller for each son thereafter. Warrior Dolls (Musha-Ningyo) are also displayed on Boys Day within the home as they represent strength. Two of the dolls represent Kintaro and Momotaro. Kintaro, the legend goes, was raised in the mountains by his mother. The animals of the forest became his friends due to his gentle nature. Eventually Kintaro joins up with a Samurai clan and helps to defeat a gang of demons. Momotaro is the story of Peach Boy, who also defeats evil demons.

Special foods are served including rice cakes wrapped in bamboo and rice cakes filled with sweet bean. Kamigamo shrine celebrates Children’s Day with horse races in the tradition of the samurai. The leaves of Japanese iris are used in baths and mixed with sake for this special holiday.

I hope you like it

coco, RGatward, startacked, isabela_sor, nwoehnl, azadys, dragonslayero, john_c, stormboy, celinaconroy, alvaraalto, Tue, weswang, ChrisJ, singuanti, jrj, Wirraway, elihesamian, capthaddock, pastadog, Scharan, chaity, banyanman, whereami has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

coco (28701) 2006-05-01 10:34

Hi Dan.
Long and useful note.
About the photo let me say that if the vertical and tilt composition is interesting, the colours and the movement of the fishes look superb.
Really a nice work.

Thanks for share.

RGatward (19759) 2006-05-01 10:35

Well, good for the light, I think it best with some movement in the fish. Typical graphic result, and nice colours.

ryno (4710) 2006-05-01 10:38

Hi Dan. Great photo! The surreal fluttering flags against a dark & threatening sky makes for a memorable image. The slant of the building also adds an interesting element to the photo. An unusual view, well-captured. Regards, Ryno

sabyasachi1212 (19552) 2006-05-01 10:43

Hi Dan !
A little abstract maybe but the more you look at it, the better it looks. Thanks for sharing. Sorry ran out of greens today but couldn't help appreciating.
Regards
Sabyasachi

isabela_sor (43224) 2006-05-01 10:44

Great execution to show the movement,Dan.
Excelent job, perfect vertical composition
And a great note,too
All the best
Isabela

nwoehnl (120) 2006-05-01 10:46

Very cool photo, Dan. The upward diagonal angle along the highrise makes a good and slightly dizzying backdrop, and the "flying fish" are well shown with their movement in the wind. All coming with a special light and well saturated colors, nice work.

azadys (711) 2006-05-01 10:50

Hi Dear Dan.
the notes are really helpful.
also i like the shot with this compo.

regards
azad

dragonslayero (3108) 2006-05-01 11:20

Very lively and colourful photo.
Good composition, I like the way you have captured the flying carps in conjunction with the high rise building in the background. A bit symbolic I think, boys growing up and eventually gaining prosperity (a good job) in the high rise building.
Very nice effect with the moving carps, makes the photo less static.

Odd Jarle

john_c (24635) 2006-05-01 11:25

Hi Dan,
The tilted building really works here, and I like the contrast of imagery between the traditional celebration represented by the carp banners and the modernistic highrise tower. A fascinating note of great interest. Superb capture.
John

carper (67302) 2006-05-01 11:54

very nice one Dan,
a realy special effect, very nice shot, I like the movement, the well composing of the photo and the contrast, well done.
gr. jaap

celinaconroy (717) 2006-05-01 14:30

Hi Dan,

The colouring and composition is superb, as are your notes. The fact that the sky is cloudy just adds impact to the image.

Celina

voodoo-girl (694) 2006-05-01 16:15

Bonsoir Dan. Cette photo est sublime. Le mélange architecture contemporaine et tradition me plait beaucoup. Les poissons donnent un effet "flou" qui rend très bien ici. Gros bravo. A bientôt.
~ Mel ~

alvaraalto (5353) 2006-05-01 16:22

Hi Dan,
Lovely shot. These colourful flying fish ascending to the sky and hoping to reach till the top of the skyscraper. The movement in the picture emphasize the struggle of the fishes.
Great job.
Groet Rob

Tue (25770) 2006-05-01 17:24

Hej Dan,
I like the nice colours very much and also the blur is very nice. The way the building is placed in the composition is also well done. Good work!
Hilsen,
Lars

weswang (18223) 2006-05-01 19:43

Hi Dan, A nice long exposure shot to show the wind in the air through the blurred kites along the string. The building on the side provide a contrast of the modern with the tradition kites. I enjoy this well composed picture.

singuanti (15240) 2006-05-01 22:24

Hi Dan. With the tilt you've got it looks like the building is ready to fall down. Also the colors, especially the shades of green, are intriguing. Good work Dan.

kclai (2267) 2006-05-02 3:22

Hi Dan
Considerably a cool and artistic angle. No doubt of the distortion of the building but was captured in a good way. And the motion of the windsock in blurness is an excellent subject and comparison against the still majestically standing skyscrapper.
Cool work, Dan.
Eric Lai

Angshu (34841) 2006-05-02 4:14

This is a WOW shot Kenny! The movement of the carps have been brilliantly caught in this vertical compo. with strong diagonal lines of the building
It looks better & better the more I look at it
Regards
Angshu

ChrisJ (71614) 2006-05-02 4:27

Hi Dan

Wonderful color & sharpness, in this superb daily life shot. I like the motion blur of the carp, & the tilt of the high rise, which add dynamism. Well done!

cessy (13647) 2006-05-02 5:40

wonderful kites, so colorful, contrast against the blue sky and the building
excellent angle, Dan

jrj (34791) 2006-05-02 6:45

Good capture Dan and perfect for the very informative note.
Creative use of the house and the decorations.

Wirraway (1985) 2006-05-02 9:25

Very nicely done Dan,love the POV as well as the color in the image, good note.

Regards Ian
Nth Queensland.

flydragon (0) 2006-05-02 15:17

hello Dan
this picture is very sensitiv
and so poetic, i love it
the blur on the fish is very nice
the composition vertical is a good option
i just wpnder if this pic were a bit more contrast ?
very well seen a good catch
regards
••simon••

sorry no more green

Stepan (27181) 2006-05-02 15:24

Poetic, mystic, mysterious... I really like the way you composed that cotrast. Looks even like a photomontage. Well done.
Stéphane

sergecross (3438) 2006-05-03 17:34

Dan, i like the colorful picture and the point of view. The movement with the speed taken were the secret to catch this beautiful shot.
Congratulations!
Sergio

Jeppe (18624) 2006-05-08 15:24

Hi Dan

This day also special in Denmark - end of WW2.

a fine different and fine way to present this celebration - thanks for sharing this and the story behind.

jmdaoudal (82) 2006-05-09 18:52

Artistic :-)) Yes !
I like the way you have composed the subject, with strait lines of the building and the moving colors from the decoration.
this is a picture thatr goes well with a children day.
I like it
Jean Michel

elihesamian (26091) 2006-05-10 0:02

Although it's late,but let me say : happy children day !
What a colors Dan !
wonderful perspective!
very well captured,with a nice dynamism,the graphism of the shot is fine with diagonal moves,...fantastic colors,Dan,I like it,
great note,Thanks,

Best
M

capthaddock (28640) 2006-05-11 10:29

Hi Dan - brilliant perspective, an unusual cross between a day and night shot, very well done.

pastadog (12820) 2006-05-11 10:41

Hi Dan - a creative and pretty composition from interesting POV. Fish in the sky is not something seen everyday! By the way, the sky is superb too in your shot. TFS and regards, Daniel

Scharan (13957) 2006-05-19 19:53 [Comment]

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chaity (1539) 2006-06-04 11:28

Hi Dan, I like the tall building included in this photo. Well captured.

banyanman (7743) 2006-06-24 12:35

I like the almost abstract feel to this image, Dan, and wonderful colours too! Your angled POV works really well in this composition and the longish exposure has captured just the right amount of movement in the fish. Cheers . . . David