First published in 2005 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759 and 61 Tai Seng Avenue, #02-12, Singapore 534167.
Copyright © 2005 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2004108273
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0792-2 (ebook)
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First edition
10 09 08 07 06 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Design by Kathryn Sky-Peck
Diagrams by Wayne Hosking
Illustrations by Masturah Jeffrey
Printed in Malaysia
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contents
| introduction | 4 |
| making kites | 7 |
| flying kites | 16 |
| kites from china | 20 |
| Project 1: Butterfly | 22 |
| Project 2: Lark | 24 |
| kites from malaysia | 26 |
| Project 3: Mini Wau | 28 |
| Project 4: Layang-layang | 30 |
| kites from thailand | 32 |
| Project 5: Thai Cobra | 34 |
| Project 6: Thai Fish | 36 |
| kites from korea | 44 |
| Project 7: Ga-o-ri-yon (Ray Fish Kite) | 40 |
| Project 8: Bangpae-yeon (Shield Kite) | 42 |
| kites from japan | 44 |
| Project 9: Tako-no-tako (Octopus Kite) | 46 |
| Project 10: Mushi-dako (Bug Kite) | 48 |
| Project 11: Buka-dako | 50 |
| Project 12: Koma-dako (Spinning-Top Kite) | 52 |
| Project 13: Rokkaku (Six-Sided Kite) | 54 |
| Project 14: Suruga-dako | 56 |
| Project 15: Sode-dako (Sleeve Kite) | 58 |
| kite workshops: a note for pare and teachers and teachers | 60 |
| resources | 61 |
| bibliography | 62 |
introduction
While watching your creation dancing on the wind, do you ever wonder who flew the first kite? Did the first kite come about by accident, by intentional design, or, as some cultures believe, as a “gift from the gods"? Even though the answer is lost in the distant past, scholars believe the existence of kites dates back to between two and a half to three thousand years ago. Ancient kites once carried messages—in the form of special shaped kites, pictures, or other cultural symbols—from earthbound humans to the heavenly beings in celebration of births, prosperity, and to ask for blessings. Over the centuries even common people began to fly kites, and everyday pleasure replaced the religious significance attached to kite flying.
Up until recent times, China received credit for developing the kite. This has been generally accepted because the Chinese had an advanced civilization that included the written word, allowing them to record historical events. The Chinese have a number of theories for the conception of the kite. On the top of the list is a legend about Meng Chia's bamboo hat being blown from his head by a sudden gust of wind. The farmer