WATANABE KOINOBORI

Since 1904, Watanabe Koinobori has been dedicated to crafting koinobori (carp streamers) and musha-e nobori (warrior banners). In 1912, the company relocated from Nagoya to Okazaki in Aichi Prefecture, a region renowned for its cotton production. There, they began producing cotton koinobori. While preserving the traditional hand-painted honzome dyeing techniques that have been passed down since the Edo period (1603–1867), Watanabe Koinobori has also embraced modern innovations, creating compact designs and decorative ornaments. Their koinobori, with soft gradations and blurred dyeing effects, showcase the beauty and artistry of handcrafted work.

Each koinobori is a heartfelt expression of parents’ love, hopes, and dreams for their children. The moments spent enjoying koinobori as a family become cherished memories on life’s journey. Using Kaname-zome, a traditional dyeing technique rooted in Nagoya Yuzen dyeing, Watanabe creates koinobori that bring families closer together. Meanwhile, their vividly colored and majestic musha-e nobori banners are crafted entirely using traditional hand-painted honzome techniques, continuing a legacy of craftsmanship that has endured since the Edo period.

Key Highlights:

Fortune-bringing creations designed to inspire hopes for children’s healthy growth and future success.
Family-centered products that strengthen and celebrate familial bonds.
Authentic craftsmanship, with each hand-painted honzome piece created by certified Masters of Traditional Craft in Japan.