Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Tango


Image: Koi-Nobori, courtesy of Chev's

Note: "If one travels through Japan from the
latter half of April to early May, one
sees nearly everywhere huge, gay-colored
Koi-Nobori, carp-like streamers. A carp
is flown for each son in the family,
a very large one for the eldest,
the others ranging down in size"
(quoted from Chev's)

A Japanese do
Tango, Boy's Festival, a
gaily spectacle

But who can forget
of  Brando's classic the 'Last
Tango in Paris'!

Written for Chev's haiku at CARPE DIEM # 213 with prompt - tango and
shared with Bjorn's hosting at d'Verse OpenLinkNight week #99

17 comments:

  1. I didn't know that--what is it about the koi that is representative of sons?? Very cool post!

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    1. "The carp has become the symbol of the Boys' Festival because the Japanese consider it the most spirited of fish, so full of energy and power that it can fight its way up swift-running streams and cascades. Because of its strength and determination to overcome all obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals. The carp is an appropriate symbol to encourage manliness and the overcoming of life's difficulties leading to consequent success"

      The above is quoted from Chev's CARPE DIEM. The carp is obviously revered as a good symbol for boys. Chev aka Kristjaan runs a commendable haiku blog relating to the Japanese culture. Check it out!

      Hank

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    2. That was very interesting, came to know something new from this, and about this japanese culture :) thanx for sharing!

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  2. Hi Hank,

    I found this very interesting and I learned something as well..I thank you for that and the streamers are amazing.

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    1. Thanks Truedessa,
      I will try not to miss Chev (though sometimes I do) Chev lets out a treasure trove of haiku and all things Japanese.

      Hank

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  3. Thanks for the info those carp like streamers ~ And I haven't seen that Brando movie ~ Smiles ~

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    1. Thanks Grace.
      It was a Bertolucci movie starring Brando and Maria Schneider released in 1972. Quoted below Wiki's info

      "The film's raw portrayal of sexual violence
      and emotional turmoil led to international
      controversy and drew various levels of
      government censorship" - Wiki

      Hank

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  4. Oh I totally forgot Boy's Day this year! Ir used to be much more prominent in Honolulu with carp evident around town. . . . sadly fading, it seems. . . . Nice job of you to carry it on :)


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral
    ~ > < } } ( ° > <3
    > < } } ( ° >

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Cloudia,
      Celebrated in Hawaii too? The Japanese community supports a great number there apparently!

      Hank

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  5. the most spirited of fish...how cool is that...def fits a boys festival...you have me really curious about this hank...i want to know more...

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  6. Never knew what they were for at all, thanks for the info at your hall.

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  7. wow... that festival is cool..
    here in India some festivals are dedicated to boys too..
    Mums fast for boys :)

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    1. Mums do that! I thought it should be the other way around. Thanks Jyoti!

      Hank

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  8. Learn something new everyday, thanks

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  9. I have a very spirited grandson. How nice it would be to celebrate him. Thanks for the info on this wonderful tradition.

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  10. Not sure how the tango fits in with the boys's festival... I guess passion and energy? But that movie (I googled it) sounds like a modern day film. A lot of what Brando did was cutting edge and still can be viewed and enjoyed today!

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    1. Tango in this context is a Japanese word describing their own aspects of the festival. That's how I see it. It may not have the meaning of tango as we understand it. The movie I saw was a long time ago and the word 'tango' brought back the memory immediately. But it went through the censor's scissors most outrageously then. I've not seen the current one.Thanks Marge!

      Hank

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