Fighting colors

The Yomiuri Shimbun

A craftsman applies color to a mushanobori streamer depicting samurai warriors in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture, on Feb. 17. Coloring work is at its peak at Hiramoto Senkoujou Co., ahead of Children’s Day on May 5. Craftsmen use up to 20 kinds of dying agents to apply color to the streamers, which measure two to 8.2 meters long. Those depicting warlord Kato Kiyomasa are especially popular. The president of Hiramoto Senkoujou said the streamers were being made in the hope that the pandemic will end as soon as possible.