An element of Japanese heraldry was selected as a symbol of the club. It is based on a representation of a carp ("koi" in Japanese), fighting a raging current. In the East, the carp personifies masculine strength, endurance, and persistence in attaining goals. Every year it climbs against the river current to its spawning ground. In Chinese legends, it even climbs waterfalls and turns into a dragon. The annual battle of the carp against the current symbolizes the growth of energy and health.

How Our Club Got Its Name
In June 1991, the nucleus of our club formed. It was a group of 10 young people, most of whom had just finished school and were beginning institute studies. Thus arose a new aikido club. Due to their youth and zeal, they were prepared to train from morning to evening, sometimes skipping institute lectures to do so.

In the early 1990s, there were few aikido clubs in Moscow. As a rule, they were named after the main instructor there, or after the name of the place where they met: for example, the V. Matveev group, the V. Podorolsky group, the V. Baranovsky group, the Michelle Duke Ngeban group, the 2nd Medical Institute group, MGTU, MAI, MSU, etc.

We thought for a long time how to change our name from "Marina" group. We tried to find a name that would reflect the spirit of the club. Finally, what started out as a joke we began to take seriously - using the word "Koinobori", which has as its root the word "koi" ("carp", in Japanese). Such a fortunate coincidence with the root of the last name "Karpova", and the fact that a "koinobori" cloth banner is an integral part of the Boy's Celebration in Japan (most of our group was boys) - all determined the final choice of the name.

One of our Japanese friends, Mr. Naomi Nomura (5th Dan aikido), at that time a student at AIKIKAI Hombu Dojo, searched for and sent to us a unique kamon (ancient Japanese coat of arms), which became our symbol. It is an element of Japanese heraldry, the basis of which is an image of a carp fighting a raging current. In the East the carp symbolizes masculine prowess, endurance, and persistence. The annual battle between the carp and the current in its striving to reach the spawning ground (in Chinese legends it even climbs waterfalls and then turns into a Dragon***) symbolizes the growth of energy and health. In Japan, the carp is a symbol of the samurai strength of spirit, possibly because of the contrast between its bold leaps in the water and its calm after it has been caught and is dying. In the East, it was also revered for its longevity; carp was a symbol of good fortune. Pennants in the form of a carp were hung from ships' masts and from roofs to protect the ship or house from fire.

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***Dragon
In Asia, especially in China, to this day the dragon is considered a symbol of supernatural powers, unbounded by moral principles. A coiled dragon sewn on clothing symbolizes the image of the creative rhythms of elemental nature, especially giving rain the power of a storm (an emblem often appearing as a pearl in the mouth or throat of a dragon). From this comes the symbolism evoking a rain of paper dragons which, among bursts of fireworks, are carried in processions during the autumn festival on the second day of the second month of the Chinese calendar. A turquoise dragon with five claws, Lung, was the emblem of the Han dynasty, symbolizing the active principle "yin", the East, the rising sun, fertility, happiness, and the gift of divine wisdom and immortality. A dragon with three claws is the Mikado symbol in Japan and is the main symbol for rain, as in other parts of Southeast Asia, sovereign of the sea and rivers, but is also the divine winged serpent connected with the rainbow. The king-dragon is a notable figure in Japanese folklore.

Tango-no-sekku (Boys' Holiday)
During the first days of May, in Japanese homes where boys live, bright cloth banners blossom in the form of inflated carps, considered by Japanese to be symbols of strength and persistence. This custom has existed in Japan for about 300 years.

Multi-colored carp over rooftops, bunches of green iris leaves at the entrance, ceremonial dolls representing warriors, and toy weapons in the home - all these are indispensable components of the holiday.

The sources of this holiday relate to the first centuries of our era. Connected with the cult of the emperor, this festival in ancient Japan was like a holiday ceremony, and was one of the rituals of the emperor's court, where the main role was played by the emperor himself. According to written sources, he, together with his entourage, gathered medicinal plants on this day.

constructing a sand carp is a tradition of the Summer Camp in Stupino
In the Heian Era (VIII-XII centuries), Tango-no-sekku became more of a military-sporting festival. At the culminating moment of the ceremony, the emperor visited the hall of military arts and observed as warriors demonstrated their mastery of archery, sword, and sumo wrestling. In the following period, the Boys' Holiday spread to samurai families, who strengthened its military air. In boys they saw future warriors, strong physically and in spirit. Many details in the decoration of homes symbolized the strong and energetic nature of men.

This favorite traditional holiday of the Japanese has remained practically unchanged. Now May 5th according to the Japanese calendar is the official Holiday

"Japan as it is" (a bilingual guide) Gakken, 1985, Japan

Из сборника "Японская поэзия хайку XVI-XVII веков"
(From the publishing house "Neva", "Olma-press", 2000) The collection is remarkable in that the verses chosen for it were written by unknown samurai who wrote in their notebooks haiku which most precisely reflected their spiritual state.

Translated into English by Douglas Marshall

Landscapes

Playing in the flow
The carp's crystal knobby spine
Glistens.

Honor of a Warrior

In the shallows of a mountain stream
The persistence of the carp* is distinctly visible
As it strives to reach the spawning ground

*here: Carp symbolizes persistence in attaining a set goal, one of the principles of bushido.

Irony

The carp* strikes
Against the side of the boat
Overloaded like a stuffed sack.

*here: Carp in Japan is a symbol of good fortune and wealth.

Dirk Yuricich Photography
www.dirkphotoz.com