Higher than the roof tops are the koinobori

By popular request the fairy lights are back. After 3 years strung up across the kitchen I thought maybe it was time for them to get packed away but No No No said lodger Camilla... we need sparkle in January so they are back (in addition to the pasta jar of lights in the room next door).

The carp-shaped wind sock was sent from America by a friend visiting a Japanese community - they are called Koinobori and are traditionally used to celebrate children's day on 5th May. But in our house every day is Children's Day so up goes the wind sock too.

It will be sequins next.... somebody stop me...please!

Courtesy of Wikipedia, I tried to add the Koinobori song in Japanese - but all the lovely Japanese characters come out as ????? so here it is in English


Higher than the roof-tops are the koinobori
The large Carp is the father
The smaller Carp are the children
They seem to be having fun swimming.