JAPANESE KITES - Make & Fly Kites

The Star Festival

2009-07-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

Tanabata, the Star Festival, is celebrated on July 7 (in some districts,on August 7).

People write their wishes on narrow pieces of paper called 'tanzaku' and hang them on twigs of bamboo grass.

Large-scale Tanabata festivals are held in some shopping districts.

Children's Day

2009-04-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

May 5 is 'tango-no-sekku'(formerly the Boys' Festival,now Children's Day).

People set up 'Koinobori' at the Children's Day with the wish that their boys will grow up strong and healthy.

Koinobori is a big carp-shaped streamer made of paper or cloth.

It is believed that carp are vigorous enough to swim up even waterfalls.

People display also samurai dolls at home.

How to make a Delta Kite

2009-03-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

Let's make a delta kite.

Materials

Plastic sail with keel 1

Bamboo stick(41cm) 1

Bamboo stick(36cm) 3

Corner hook 2
Seal with a hole 1

Z-shaped hook 1

Directions

Put a 41cm stick to the sail back with scotch tape.

Put 36cm sticks to the both wings with scotch tape
so you can see the tiny holes indside.

Tape close to the tiny holes on the sail.

Put the corner hook to the hole, turn it and hold the stick.

Insert a 36cm stick into both corner hooks.

Reinforce a hole on the keel with a seal.

Tie flying line to the Z-shaped hook and put this hook to the hole

on the keel.

A Doll with a Kite

2009-03-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Small dolls with traditional costume displayed at a garden
and hina dolls on the board fence.

Hinamatsuri (the Doll Festival)

2009-02-23T21:54:00.000-08:00

Hinamatsuri (the Doll Festival) is a festival for girls that is held on March 3 every year. It is also called "momo-no-sekku" (the Peach Festival). People display hina dolls on a tiered stand at home and wish for the sound growth and happiness of their daughter(s).

Kite Exhibition

2009-02-08T17:22:00.000-08:00

There was an exhibition of kites made by a couple and about 80 unique kites, kite trains and also photos were exhibited. They are really heartwarming works and there is a fun atmosphere.

Interview

2009-02-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

A magazine reporter together with a photographer visited us to carry an article about kites on the magazine and we were interviewed about kite history and the principle of fly,etc.

They also flied a train of star kites. Since they have never flied such a kite train, it was really a pleasant experience to them.

Wooden Kite

2008-06-29T22:39:00.000-07:00

This kite, made by "Takoaki", is made of wood that is very thin. It has a nice smell of wood.

Naturally this kite can be flown though it is a little heavier than the paper-made. It will also be a good item to decorate a room.

How to make a 40pcs Kite Train

2008-06-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

Let's make a 40 Washi Kite Train.

Materials

Washi sail 40pcs

Bamboo sticks(1.8mm) 80pcs

Bamboo sticks(2.4mm) 80pcs

Connector 40pcs

Seal with a hole 40pcs

Paper tab 200pcs

Tail 43pcs

Paper tape for tail 40pcs

Directions

Decorate the paper front with whatever design

you like. The paper front is slightly smooth.

Turn the paper over. To reinforce the hole,

stick a hole seal on the paper back to meet

the hole position.

Put 2 bamboo sticks(1.8mm) to the sail with

paper tabs. Put a connector.

Put 2 bamboo sticks(2.4mm) to the sail with

paper tabs.

Attach a tail to the paper front with a paper

seal. Note: Attach 2pcs per kite to the top 3

kites of the train.

Mark the line at the intervals of 1m.

Take off the wire from tag.

Using this wire, pass the line through the

kites.

Move each kite to each of the marked intervals.

The hole position is as illustrated.

Use the rubber band as stopper.
As illustrated, tie the line with a rubber

band.

Yokaichi Kite Festival

2008-05-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

The Yokaichi kite festival began during the Edo period(about 300 years ago) and is one of the largest festivals in Japan. It is held on the fourth Sunday of May every year and this year there were more than 20,000 visitors.

How to make a star kite

2008-05-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Let's make a star kite.

Materials
Plastic sail 1
Connector 1
Bamboo stick(205mm) 1
Bamboo stick(225mm) 2
Bamboo stick(228mm) 2
Rubber band 2
Tail 2
String 1

Directions
1. Insert a bamboo stick(205mm) into a connector
and put this stick to the sail with scotch tape.

2. Insert other bamboo sticks into the connector
and put them to the sail with scotch tape.

3. Attach the tails with scotch tape.

4. Use the rubber band as stopper. As illustrated,
tie the line with a rubber band.

Takoaki's Kites

2008-04-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

These kites,"Sakata Kintoki" and "Inokuma Nyudo", were made by a kite craftsman whose name is "Takoaki". He specializes in traditional kites and makes kites also for foreign customers.

Takoaki's blog(Japanese): http://jblog.takoaki.com/

Himedaruma Kite

2008-04-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

When the legendary Empress(Jingu Kogo) stayed in Matsuyama in the Shikoku, she realized that she was pregnant and she asked to make a doll for the purposes of easy delivery and health of her child. People say that this is the origin of the Himedaruma(Princess Daruma).

This kite has been made by a kite craftsman, who is the specialist of Himedaruma kite, for an order from a customer in Europe.

Mini Kites

2008-02-27T22:52:00.000-08:00

Is this specimens of butteflies? No.

This is a collection of mini kites. These are made of paper and bamboo only.

Making these kites will require a lot of patience and endurance. It is really great skill.

Kite Festival at Marugame

2008-02-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

A kite festival was held at Marugame in Kagawa prefecture. Though it is not so big festival, many Japanese kite enthusiasts gathered and flied kites made by themselves.

Opinions about kitemaking and design were also exchanged among them.

The kite shown in the first photo is Kagawa's traditional one of daruma shape.

5pcs kite train kit

2008-02-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

This kite train kit,that is easy to make, is recommendable to kids who make kite train for the first time. This kit is used also in schools in Japan as educational tool.

Two types are available, one is colored and another is white that kids can decorate with whatever design they like.

Main materials are polyethylene(sail) and bamboo.

7pcs Kite Train

2008-01-29T16:11:00.000-08:00

Kids can easily enjoy a kite flying with this kite train. Every year we sell more than 30,000 trains in Japan and this kite train is a standard item with an established reputation.

The size of each kite is 33cm(w) and 31cm(h).

Yakko Kite

2008-01-24T17:06:00.000-08:00

Yakko kite is one of the most popular Japanese Kites and every part of Japan developed the unique designs. The Yakko kite I introduce this time is with the short-sleeve that makes it remain steady in the sky.

There are some users who buy this kite not only for flying but also for interior decoration.

This is made of paper and bamboo and the size is 70cm(w) and 44cm(h).

Make a Star Kite

2008-01-21T16:16:00.000-08:00

During kiting season, we teach classes in kite making in various locations and often are asked whether there are any kites to make easily and any unique kites. A star kite is recommendable to meet such requests. In fact, many kids show interest and enjoy its flying.

It takes about 15 minutes for kids to make it,except painting. The size is 47cm x 47cm.

Kakudako ZOO

2008-01-15T18:05:00.000-08:00

The shape is traditional but the design is so cute. This is a newly developed kite and is now popular among kids since it is also easy to fly it.

The size is 28cm(wide) & 38cm(high) and 4 desings of panda, bear, dog and rabbit are available. The sail is made of polyethylene.

Why not fly it?

Make 60pcs Kite Train

2008-01-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

You do not need to look for necessary materials to make a kite train. Why not get a kit of kite train. Diamond shape with 6 colors. You can decorate the sail with whatever design you like.

It is recommendable people who desire colorful kites.

The kit with white color only also is available.

Fly a Train of Star Kites

2008-01-11T16:34:00.000-08:00

This is recommendable to kite flyers who do not want to make kite train but want to enjoy its fly. It is the 40pcs star-shaped kite train with cute animal design of dog, pig,fog and duck.

The price also is reasonable.

I have heard from a few users, who bought it, that they are satisfied flying it.

Make a New Kakudako Kite

2008-01-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I am asked whether there is a kakudako kit that can easily be made. It is a fact that it takes time to make a traditional kakudako kite. In order to meet such a reuqest, a kakudako kit was newly developed. This kite is not only easy to make but also easy to fly. So, I can say "best for beginners".

Kite Festival at Himeji

2008-01-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

A kite festival was held at Himeji on January 6,2008. This is one of the largest festivals in Japan and there were about 12 thousands of visitors since luckily it was bright and sunny.

I could see many and various kites such as traditional kites,kite trains and original kites without getting tired.

Rokkaku Kite

2008-01-08T22:37:00.000-08:00

Japan possesses a wide variety of kites with each geographical region having developed its own unique shapes and designs.These designs reflect the unique culture of each area and are often based on warriors, mythical being, theater characters or traditional symbols.
One of the most popular shapes is Rokkaku kite. This is popular worldwide.

Make 70pcs Kite Train

2008-01-08T17:28:00.000-08:00

Flying kite train is very impressive and attractive. I realize there are many people who want to make kite trains in the world and in fact I am often asked whether such kite train kits are available. To meet such request, I always recommend 70pcs kite train kit with dragon kanji.

The advantage is to be easy to make. I believe the users who got this train kit are satisfied and some users gave me the photos showing fly of this kite train.