How Do You Make A Traditional Japanese Kite?
There are many different traditional Japanese kite styles, such as Suruga-dako, Sagara-dako and Rokkaku, the six-sided kite, because each arises from a different province in Japan. One of the more popular kites is the Edo Kaku Dako kite, a rectangular kite traditionally made with washi paper, a tougher fibrous paper from the mulberry tree. This version will use newspaper for the sail and 1/8 inch dowels for the more traditional bamboo spars. When making your kite, the most important aspect to remember is symmetry. Measure and cut the newspaper into two rectangles that are 20 inches by 14 inches. Apply glue to the total surface of one paper rectangle and glue the two paper pieces together; allow to dry completely. Fold the top 14-inch edge over 2.54 inches (1 cm). Fold the newspaper sail down the middle and reopen to lay flat. This will indicate the exact middle of the kite so that symmetry is preserved. Cut two pieces of 1/8 inch doweling to 24 inches long with a razor blade knife; the
