Koinobori

Koinobori is a streamer made with carp hanging on it. It is specifically made to celebrate a traditional festival. As part of my exhibition of Japanese Icons, Old and New, this is the subset of Festivals - Old. Held on May 5th, this children’s festival is a day for families to celebrate their childrens’ strength and character, and to bestow courage, determination good health and fortune on their futures. Traditionally this was just for celebrating the boys in families and many Japanese families still only honour boys on this day.
Families raise the koinobori, which are carp-shaped flags. The flags are shaped like carp because "the Japanese consider it the most spirited 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. These are the traits desired in boys.
One carp flag is hung out for each boy in the house and remain displayed from April to early May.
Work is all made from layers of paper including Japanese Washi paper cut in shapes to reveal the design.

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Robyn Cottew is a qualified Interior Designer, whose career has taken many turns. After working as a commercial Interior Designer for 10 years in Melbourne and London, she moved into sales and marketing of commercial furniture.
Robyn spent six and a half years living in Japan in Yamagata Ken, and in Tokyo. She travelled extensively through Japan during that time and is fascinated by Japanese culture and crafts.
Robyn set up a web shop selling unique and high quality Japanese designed goods which otherwise don’t get global exposure.
In Tokyo she met Yamamoto Hiromi san, who taught her Japanese Paper Cutting Art. Yamamoto San’s style is a unique version of kirigame (traditional paper cutting), and Robyn became an assistant teacher under her guidance.
Yamamoto San taught Robyn about Japanese culture through the designs used in her lessons.
Robyn has been practicing Japanese Paper Cutting art for twelve years. She uses Japanese washi paper and chiyogami (patterned paper), coloured paper, fabric, sequins and diamantes.
Robyn has taken workshops at Malvern Artist’s Society, Fuji Tei Restaurant, Wesley College, Kami Japanese Paper shop in Fitzroy, Guild of Objects, Moonee Valley Racecourse Chinese New Year festival, Box Hill Community Centre . Her work has been exhibited at the Japanese Consulate in Melbourne, the Japanese Festival in Box Hill, in Fuji Tei Restaurant St Kilda and Glen Eira Town Hall Gallery.
Many of the works listed here are from her exhbition "Icons of Japan". A journey through the traditions, culture and icons of Japan, seen through this unique Japanese cutting art using traditional Japanese papers.
Japanese cultural identity explored through the themes of Old and New: Traditions; Architecture and Gardens; Festivals; and Icons.
My works capture the popular icons of Japan, but also the lesser known.