Over the years there have been several records set in the category of "World's Larget Kite".  Likely each new record size established will continue to become a target for skilled builders of these kite behemoths to try to better.

The most recent announced entry into the quest for the title is the upcoming effort by the Japan Kite Association to attempt to fly one of the world's largest kites in the sky above Tokyo in January 2006.

The Japanese kite, measuring 25 by 40 meters for a total surface area of 1,000 square meters, is the same size as kites flown in Kuwait in March and in the United States in September. These latter two kites, built as "pillow kites" in the shape of the flags of the respective nations are currently tied for the title of world's largest kite.

The upcoming Japanese kite will be of the same "pillow" type, or as the Japanese call it, a "futon-dako" for its structural resemblance to Japanese bedding.

The Daily Yomiuri reports that "the kite-flying event will take place on Jan. 8 and 9 from 1:30 p.m. at the Harumi Pier in Chuo Ward. To fly the behemoth, a rope attached to the kite will be fixed to a truck. About 80 members of the association will take part in the event under (Masaaki) Modegi's command." (See complete article - Dec. 24, 2005Modegi is the head of the Japan Kite Association.

The record holding pillow kites kites are designed by Peter Lynn of New Zealand, the world's foremost designer of gigantic kites.  Peter is also world renowned for his innovative work with kite traction (buggies, kite sailing, the new 'Kite-Cat', and kite skiing).

Prior to the development and flight of the massive pillow kite flags of Kuwait and the United States of America, Peter's famous Megabite Kite held the world's record for size from 1995 through January of 2005.  Megabite had 630 sq.m. of lifting surface area.  So, the new pillow flag kites are larger by 350 sq.m or approximately 30% larger.

Having seen Megabite in person at both the Verdun Kite Festival in Montreal, Quebec and at St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, I was awed by the size and complexity of launching and safely flying such beasts.

[Megabite filled with air and about to be launched in 1995.]

Hopefully some pictures of the newest kite in the world's largest category will surface early in January 2006. 

To all my dear kiting friends and readers of my journal,  I extend warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah.  I hope that the coming year will see peace and harmony flourish around the world.

Kites can be used to tell a story in the sky.  I have only personally seen this done a couple of times and it was quite dramatic.  The China Youth Connection web sitereports a wonderful story of the retelling of the traditional Chinese love story, Legend of the White Snake, that occurred on December 18th in Zhejiang Province.  The kites are spectacular and the effect of the story afloat on the wind appears to be most enchanting.

  "A 4-meter-tall kite featuring a traditional Chinese love story "Legend of White Snake" flies over West Lake in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province December 18, 2005. The lake is the place where the love story is supposed to have happened. A local old man spent 3 months making the huge kite. The legendary romance goes like this: The white snake, the heroine of the story, is a succubus who transmutes into a beautiful young lady and comes to live among human beings with her sister the green snake. The white snake meets Xu Xian, the hero of the story, on the West Lake and falls in love with him. Their love weathers the test of many hardships and obstructs before they get the heaven moved. In the story, they reunite at the same place - the Broken Bridge - several times after they get separated."  Visit the original story with an additional photo.

For a more complete version of the Chinese legend visit the ChinaPage.com web site.

The beauty of the kites used to tell this romantic story demonstrates the artistic power of kites.  If anyone has additional examples of multiple kites used to tell a story in the sky I would appreciate hearing about them.  You are also welcome to post a comment here.

Pakistan's Supreme Court extended it's kite making and kite flying ban at least until it next convenes on January 26, 2006.  The ban, originally imposed on October 24, 2005 has created quite a stir across the nation.  The ban was levied due to annual  injuries, some deaths, and serious power outages caused by kite flying in the Basant festival.

Essentially the two issues that create danger are the use of dangerous kite line which can cut or cause power outages and the risks of flying from roof tops in the large cities.  Glass powder coated lines can cause seious cuts.  The other type of lines used, metal wire or metallic powder coated lines can cut flesh as well.  However it is these metallic lines that cause the serious and expensive power outages when they come in contact with the power grid.

 The ban has run up against strong cultural and economic resistance.  The flying of kites during Basant, a spring festival, is deeply rooted in Pakistani culture.  The making of kites and line for this festival employs thousands in the nation.  Banning kite and line makers from making and selling their wares will result in some economic hardship for a segment of the population.

On Friday, December 9, 2005 a protest against the ban turned violent when police carrying batons tried to disperse a protest crowd. Dozens of proponents of the sport were hurt during the crackdown outside the Pakistani Supreme Court in Lahore.

Meanwhile, in Lahore, the regional and city government worked to provide alternate economic assistance to kite and line makers while also shoring up an official crackdown on matters outlined in the Supreme Court ban.  The court had warned district assemblies that they would be held in contempt if they did not enforce the ban. 

More details can be found in the following news stories:

• CNN - Kite Ban Sparks Violent Protest
  
• newKerala.com - Pakistan Supreme Court cracks whip on kite-flying
• Pakistan Daily Times - City government to form committees to ensure kite ban
• Andrew Miller's Pakistan Diary - The End of Kite Flying?
• Daily Times - Soft Loans to Kite Dealers - City gov't seeks recommendations from banks.  (This article discusses the possibility of financial aid to merchants affected by the Supreme Court ban on kites.)
  

Yemen, located south of Saudi Arabia on the Gulf of Aden, is currently hosting a major exhibition of traditional Japanese toys.  The exhibit will begin in the capital city of Sanaa December 4th, and then move to Ta'izz on December 14th.  The exhibit will feature examples of two of the Japan's oldest and most popular traditional toys, kites and spinning tops. 

The Japanese Traditional Toys Exhibition is organized by the Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in cooperation with the Al-Saeed Foundation for Science and Culture and the Yemeni-Japanese Friendship Association. The display is part of the Yemeni government's education initiative to promote understanding of different world cultures.

 Half of the exhibition fouses on kites, the other half on spinning tops, of which there are more than one thousand varieties in Japan.  However, it is the kite exhibit that will be of interest to the those of us in the kite community.

 The Yemen Observer reports (full article):

"Believed to have been first invented in China around 2000 years ago, kites were introduced to Japan during the Hei dynasty, from 794-1185. Then, kites were often used in mail delivery, flying secret letters high across walls to those inside castles.

During Japan’s thousand year kite history, several changes were made to their design and use. Most were made out of special tree leaves that grow in Japan and which are ideal material for their construction. 

The Golden age of Kites in Japan was during the age of Edo, from 1603-1868.  Before then kites were expensive and only noblemen played with them, but with the passing of time they became more common among the wider population.

Today, there are several different types of kites, people play and fly them during holidays and on festivals and special occasions. It is believed in Japan that a kite that flies very high is good omen. 
However, children in Japan today prefer playing with videogames, and while some make kites from plastic kits, most have little time or interest in making kites. 

To combat this, some schools have started to teach handicraft skills in how to make kites. It is hoped that this will guarantee that the tradition of making and playing kites will never disappear, and several old designs are now being used once again."

In my kite workshops with students in schools I find that kites of different nations promote an understanding that no matter where we may be in the world or how different our cultures are, we, as humans, have so many things in common!  Helping to promote an understanding and celebration of our differences and likenesses can be achieved through kites.