Koi-nobori [Carp Windsock]

As the title suggests, a doll created for Boy’s Day (May 5th).
A small boy 1-2 years of age plays inside a carp streamer. His playful wriggling melts the heart of any who behold this adorable scene.

A design featuring a child inside a carp streamer is quite unusual. This original idea came to the artist after thinking that this was childlike and real. A product affluent with its creator’s desire to play and be free from constraints. This has given us this humorous manifestation of a child’s unbridled curiosity in all things, and a fearless will to explore new places.

The kimono adorning the child is made of Kodai-gire bearing a sweet flag (flower) pattern. This Kodai-gire was sought after to best match the theme of the piece—Boy’s Day. The attention to detail is what really brings this doll to life.
The artist painted hemp cloth in order to create the carp streamer. It is able to keep a natural look while still conforming to the artist’s desired shape without supports thanks to the hemp becoming stiff after the application of paint. This gives it the appearance that it is really moving as the child plays inside it.

This piece came to be after the artist found an old pattern paper that she had made for a carp streamer. This is the second carp streamer she has produced.
This doll would be ideal for displaying around Boy’s Day (May 5th), wishing for the healthy growth of a young boy.

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Artist
Sumiko Hoshi

Production year
2018

Era of Kodai-gire
Edo period

Usage of Kodai-gire
kimono

Base
Japanese sumac lacquer coated

Size (Doll)
d 18cm w 23cm h 8.5cm

Size (Base)
d 21cm w 27cm h 1cm

Size (Box)
d 27cm w 31.5cm h 22cm