The Star Festival

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

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

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

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

Hinamatsuri (the Doll Festival)

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

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

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.