Japanese Customs and Creativity

Because of the large numbers of Asians living in the Silicon Valley area of Central California, a number of ethnic shopping centers have sprung up. Mitsuwa Marketplace in San Jose is just such a center.

Since May 5 is traditionally "Boys' Day" in Japan, lots of colorful koi (carp) windsocks are on display for sale at this time, as local residents strive to maintain the customs that have been handed down for generations. The koi appear to be swimming against the wind, and represent the strength of the boys who must constantly swim upstream to achieve their goals in life.

Families with boys display these "kites" (as they are sometimes called) in and around their homes.

I also came across a little store called "Jsweets" that sold colorful and extremely creative candies and sweet items such as the cherries on the left, and the chestnut candies on the right presented as iris flowers.

It was an interesting excursion we took today.