Koinobori Fish on display at Tropical World, Leeds

These fish have been made by the children in Years 5 and 6 at Robin Hood Primary School during their recent topic on Japan.  The fish have been made from fabric and are hand painted. The topic took place over three afternoon sessions (five hours).

 

The fish are on display at Tropical World in Leeds.  Three fish appear to be swimming along the top of one of the walls and as you turn the corner you are greeted by ten more.

 

 

During their topic on Japan, the children first looked at Koinobori flags (carp kites) which are flown on Children’s Day which is a festival and public holiday in Japan which falls on the fifth day of the fifth month. This provided some background knowledge around the concept of Children’s Day.

This is a festival which celebrates the future success and health of Japan’s children.  Carp kites symbolize success and are believed to represent strength and determination of spirit in the same way as the koi carp swims against the current.  As the koi carp has a long life span it is considered a symbol of success whilst the bright colours are believed to drive away evil spirits.

 

 

Beautiful Koi carp swim in the pools in the butterfly enclosure at Tropical World which is why I thought of Tropical World as the obvious place to display the children’s artwork.

 

Each pupil brought in a pillowcase and working in pairs, they cut it open and drew around the koi carp template. They then stuck down the edges and let it dry for the next session.

During the next session they looked at some examples of koinobori flags and concentrated on painting the intricate pattern using fabric paint.