This monumental nobori (vertical banner) from Japan dates to the late Meiji to early Taisho period (1900–1915). Measuring an expansive 211 inches in height and 27 inches in width (536 cm x 69 cm), the textile is crafted from sturdy hand-painted cotton and remains in very good condition. Such banners were traditionally flown outside homes for the Boys' Day festival (Tango no Sekku) to celebrate the strength and future success of sons.

The banner depicts the legendary Kintaro (Golden Boy), a child of superhuman strength raised by a mountain hag on Mount Ashigara. He is shown wearing his iconic red haragake (bib) emblazoned with the character for gold (kin), riding a large black bear near a rushing blue waterfall. In his hands, he wields a massive axe (masakari), while pine branches and bamboo—symbols of longevity and resilience—frame the scene against a deep blue sky. The bold, graphic style and vibrant pigments are characteristic of early 20th-century festival art.

‍