Japanese kites fly in Brunei skies
Monday, July 30, 2007
COLOURFUL Japanese kites dotted the sky above Tungku beach yesterday, as children and adults gathered on a breezy Sunday afternoon to witness a Japanese kite-flying demonstration.
Eiji Ohashi, a Japanese kite-master, demonstrated his skill and craftsmanship with the help of his wife before a massive crowd who turned up at the beach to witness Japanese kite-flying at its best.
Prior to the kite-flying demonstration, Eiji held a workshop on kite-making at the Riverview Hotel that was attended by approximately 50 students from the Brunei-Japan Friendship Association (BJFA), families and children. Eiji taught them how to assemble traditional Japanese kites using paper and pieces of bamboo, and gave tips and pointers for kite illustrations.
Participants who made the best-looking kites were given prizes by the Japanese Ambassador Hashimoto Itsuo.
Traditional Japanese kites are made out of the same material used for yacht sails, said Eiji through an interpreter from the Japanese embassy.
"They are made of nylon, and are shaped by bamboo pieces to hold the shape in the sky," said Eiji, animatedly using his hands to describe a kite.
Families and children watched in delight as Eiji, sporting a bright orange wizard hat, worked together with his wife, a petite, 76-year-old woman with a wide smile, fly dozens of small kites connected by a single string. Both have been interested in kites since 30 years ago.
The Brunei Kite Association had assisted him in setting up the demonstrations.
Prior to arriving in Brunei, Eiji and his wife visited Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur for similar kite demonstrations. His next destination is Singapore. Eiji and his wife will be departing the country this morning after a three-day stay in the sultanate.
"Brunei is a very small country, but it is rich," said Eiji. "I really like the hospitality the people here have given me," he said.
"In Brunei they compete to cut the strings of each other's kites. We have the same thing in Japan, but it is not so popular. Kite competitions in Japan focus more on aesthetics. The more beautiful the kite's illustrations, the more chances it has of winning," he said.
How well the kite holds itself in the sky also counts, he said. "Traditional Brunei kites are diamond-shaped, but Japanese ones are typically rectangular. They also have extensively detailed illustrations on them, usually painted," said Eiji, who has extensive knowledge of kites found around the world and can assemble a standard Bruneian kite.
Asked on how long it takes to assemble a traditional Japanese kite, he said that it usually takes two days to construct "a beautiful one".
The BJFA held a dinner last night in honouring Eiji's visit.
The Brunei Times
Eiji Ohashi, a Japanese kite-master, demonstrated his skill and craftsmanship with the help of his wife before a massive crowd who turned up at the beach to witness Japanese kite-flying at its best.
Prior to the kite-flying demonstration, Eiji held a workshop on kite-making at the Riverview Hotel that was attended by approximately 50 students from the Brunei-Japan Friendship Association (BJFA), families and children. Eiji taught them how to assemble traditional Japanese kites using paper and pieces of bamboo, and gave tips and pointers for kite illustrations.
Participants who made the best-looking kites were given prizes by the Japanese Ambassador Hashimoto Itsuo.
Traditional Japanese kites are made out of the same material used for yacht sails, said Eiji through an interpreter from the Japanese embassy.
"They are made of nylon, and are shaped by bamboo pieces to hold the shape in the sky," said Eiji, animatedly using his hands to describe a kite.
Families and children watched in delight as Eiji, sporting a bright orange wizard hat, worked together with his wife, a petite, 76-year-old woman with a wide smile, fly dozens of small kites connected by a single string. Both have been interested in kites since 30 years ago.
The Brunei Kite Association had assisted him in setting up the demonstrations.
Prior to arriving in Brunei, Eiji and his wife visited Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur for similar kite demonstrations. His next destination is Singapore. Eiji and his wife will be departing the country this morning after a three-day stay in the sultanate.
"Brunei is a very small country, but it is rich," said Eiji. "I really like the hospitality the people here have given me," he said.
"In Brunei they compete to cut the strings of each other's kites. We have the same thing in Japan, but it is not so popular. Kite competitions in Japan focus more on aesthetics. The more beautiful the kite's illustrations, the more chances it has of winning," he said.
How well the kite holds itself in the sky also counts, he said. "Traditional Brunei kites are diamond-shaped, but Japanese ones are typically rectangular. They also have extensively detailed illustrations on them, usually painted," said Eiji, who has extensive knowledge of kites found around the world and can assemble a standard Bruneian kite.
Asked on how long it takes to assemble a traditional Japanese kite, he said that it usually takes two days to construct "a beautiful one".
The BJFA held a dinner last night in honouring Eiji's visit.
The Brunei Times
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