Massive kite to blot out sun over Tokyo
Dec. 24, 2005 - Yomiuri Shimbun
The Japan Kite Association will attempt to fly one of the world's largest kites in the sky above Tokyo in January. The 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.
"Japan has long tradition of kite-flying, which has been passed down for 1,000 years. We can't look wistfully at [the other nations'] successful attempts (to fly giant kites)," said Masaaki Modegi, the 66-year-old head of the association based in Nihonbashi, Tokyo.
The kite the association plans to fly is of a kind called "futon-dako" for its structural resemblance to Japanese bedding. When fully inflated with wind, this type of kite, which does not have a bony framework, spreads out like a soft quilt.
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