To really do justice to the entire world of traditional Japanese
kites would take a larger website than this one! Each different
region in the country, called a Prefecture, tended to come up
with it's own designs. This all happened during the Edo period
from the early 1600s to the mid 1800s. The kites' names often
refer to objects, folk heroes or creatures. Besides the variety
in decoration, it's amazing how unique Japanese kites are in
terms of overall design. That is, the shape of the frame and
sails. Quaintly, the Japanese refer to the frame as the bones of
the kite! The big majority of them were, and in some cases still
are, made from split bamboo for the spars and Washi paper for
the sails. Washi might just be paper, but this hand-made
mulberry-based product it is very strong and ideal for kites -
as long as you don't get it wet! I'm just going to focus on a
couple of designs which have been much copied or adapted in the
West. You are likely to see at least one of these types at any
large kite festival a