So, next March 3rd is Girl’s Day in Japan and May 5th is Boy’s Day. For girl’s day, there is often a display set up in homes of dolls that have been handed down in the family and Emiko pointed one out in the Nishi Ogikubo Subway Station, the other day when I visited her. For boy’s day, there is a tradition of flying streamers in the shape of fish (carp) in the river. Boys still have more fun! Here is a set of cards I bought in a local stationary shop, and like so much of the stuff we purchase at home, these are Made in China.

I am just now remembering that I once won first prize for catching the biggest fish at a fishing derby when I was 10 or 11 years old. It was a carp! The headline in the local newspaper read: Girl wins Fishing Derby.