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Report
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| Lessons on Japanese Kiting from a Master |
| Youth Program "Japanese Kites" |
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A Japanese kite workshop was held as
part of the minicosmos03 children's project at Graz Cultural Capital
of Europe. Minicosmos was made up of over 1,200 programsthroughout
the year focusing on such themes as theater, literature and history.
As well as nurturing the creativity and sensitivity of children,
the goal was to promote closer ties between people, culture and
the city through the participation of these children, who make up
the next generation, in Cultural Capital of Europe programs.
Sixty children ages eight to twelve participated in the kite workshop
led by Masaaki MODEGI, President of the Japan Kite Association,
and Sachiko MODEGI. The children worked hard on building kites from
round bamboo struts and washi Japanese paper and decorating them
with daruma tumbler figures. The skies of Graz were then full of
handmade kites. For the children, a day with kites became an opportunity
to take an interest in Japanese culture.
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Dates: 13-14 September 2003
Venue: Forum Stadtpark
Instructors:
Masaaki MODEGI, President, Japan Kite AssociationSachiko MODEGI
The Japan Kite Association
During the years when Japan had cut itself off from the rest of the world, the Edo kite developed as a part of popular culture. By the mid-nineteenth century it had spread throughout Japan and distinctive kites appeared in particular regions. While kite-flying at one time became so popular and widespread a pastime that it was banned as ahindrance to traffic, it went into a period of decline after the late-nineteenth century as modernization brought changing fashions and environment. In reaction against thisunfortunate trend, the Japan Kite Association was established in 1969 to pass on to later generations the attractions of kiting. The Japan Kite Association works with branches throughout the country to promote the spread and development of kiting through kite-flying rallies and overseas activities to introduce Japanese kites around the world and provide instruction on building and flying Japanese kites. The Japan Kite Association has its secretariat at the Tokyo Kite Museum (Taaimeiken Bldg, 1-12-10 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan), which features exhibits of kites from throughout Japan and overseas, and houses a collection of kite-related documents. |
The kite built in the workshop was a ray kite, in the shape of an aquatic ray. This is an easy kite with a simple structure that anybody can build and that rises well.
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