Hello! It is the blog: How Unique Japan! We always share some Japanese features through this website!
This time, we would like to talk about an activity outside. It is a Kite in Japan. We call it Tako.
Wait.
The toy is not particular. It originated around 300 BC and is noted in various countries, suggesting that it is not exclusive to one region.
However, Japanese kites/tako underwent a unique revolution (for instance, the kite formed a square shape).
The variation is multiple, and some prefectures in Japan always hold festivals related to the toy.
There is one more.
In Japan, children typically play with kites during celebrations at the beginning of the year, specifically on 1/1.
It is a common habit in Japan.
This time, we will explore the toy in more depth.
The history
The Japanese kite originated in China, but the exact time of its importation is unknown.
It is an ancient toy, used by nobles and high-class Samurai in Japan. The kite resembled the actual bird quite closely.
After the Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868, the activity became popular. It was also when it started to improve. So, its form changed into a square, rectangle, or hexagon.
Why did the old Japanese in the era love that toy?
The answer is the social system of the era.
The Edo period was predominantly male-oriented, and the Samurai, who held political power, established a strict hierarchy.
By that system, career advancement was the most important for the Japanese in that era. Some parents prayed for healthy growth and better careers for their children to God.
Then, the activity (tako) took part. The toy can fly as high as the length of the line. Parents linked their child’s development to the toy.
It is why the toy became popular among the citizens.
Besides, it was also the time when the kite took the revolution. It changed Tako into a square shape, and festivals related to the toy emerged in some prefectures.
Why did they change the shape into a squarish one?
It is because they (the old Japanese) found an effective way for the kite to fly high. Strangely, the square shape can face the wind power and utilize it for lift force. It ensured the aerodynamics.
Its advantage is not over. The form also serves as a canvas to draw beautiful pictures, as you see those pictures.
Making the kite more beautiful than the others was also a competition at the festival.
Indeed. The kite in Japan took a unique approach to gaining popularity. Next, we would like to discuss some festivals related to Japanese kites.
The festival for tako in Japan
1 Odako (Big tako/kite) festival
The festival is in Tokyo, and surprisingly, it was born in 1830 AD. As the name suggests, the festival is about the gigantic kites. Each one should have apolloximetry 14 ‘5 meters. And its weight is almost a TON (950 kg).
Imagine enormous kites soaring through the sky.
2 Fighting kites
In the topic about Hikeshi (the firefighters in Edo City), we have already written about how aggressive some Japanese were in the Edo era. So, they usually did fistfights.
Such aggressive behavior affected some festivals with the Tako/kite.
Yes. The Fighting Kite Festival was born.
We can enjoy such an event in some prefectures, but it originated in Niigata.
How do they fight with the Tako?
The rule is aggressive. After players fly the kite high enough and similar to the level (of height) of the other kite, they will try to tangle their line of the kite on purpose.
When they successfully do it (tangling the line with the others), the showtime begins. Surprisingly, each player will try to cut the line down through the tangling. As you might notice, it should be the sensitive tactics with pull/push powers.
It is the most exciting part of the festival.
One more.
The Odako (gigantic kite) also takes the style in the event of Niigata prefecture.
The big one flying in the air tries to fight in style. It is more astonishing.
3 Lendako
It is not about an event, nor a competition. It is a unique kind of kite.
We call it Rendako (continuity/a lot of kites).
As you can see from the picture, one line connects to many (and small) kites. In some festivals, those entertain the visitors.
Do you want to know how many tako fly in the sky?
There are no limits or rules for the numbers. It was basically 400 meters long with 600 kites.
There is also a Guinness World Record. It was 280m long (not so high/long). However, it contained 11284th kites. OMG.
More features in Japan
There are (huge) numbers of events around all prefectures in Japan!
Indeed. This activity is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the festivals, events, and Japanese features available.
Then, we separated our articles into four categories. Now we have the lifestyle in Japan, foods (cuisine), the Edo era (the most interesting period), and religions.
If you are still curious about them, please challenge them and boost your knowledge of Japan!
Thank you for reading! See ya for the next uniqueness!