Making a Kite

Stage 1: Take three strips of thin light wood that can be bent without breaking it (bamboo, if possible). In Figure 1 you will see how to line these up. Suggested thicknesses are 4 x 2.5 millimeters, 3.5 x 2 mm., and 3 x 2 mm. (1 millimeter = .04 inch). The medium-sized strip is used for the top of the kite, the lightest for the bottom and the heaviest for the vertical. For successful flying, the balance of the kite is all important. Therefore, the vertical slat must cross the horizontals at their centers.

Now bind the frame with thin string at points a and b. As you do this, please remember the balance of your kite. You should not use more string on one point than on the other.

Stage 2: Prepare a sheet of washi or strong lightweight paper, as shown in Figure 2. Now is the time to show off your artistic skills and paint a picture. After several attempts, you may decide on a plain kite.

Place the kite face down and apply to the tabs and frame a light paste made of flour and water. (See Figure 2.) With the vertical strip lying on top of the horizontals, place the frame on the paper and stick down the tabs. Care should be exercised so that no wrinkles appear in the paper. Afterward a light spray of water will make your kite taut. Snip off the piece of wood protruding beyond the top triangle of paper.

Stage 3: For the guide strings, stronger string is needed. Figure 3 shows the attachment points on the front of the kite (c, d and e). Tying the guide strings to the frame will require puncturing the paper. But be careful not to tear it. If the knots are tight, the string need only be wound around the wood once at each point. The length of each guide string should be, roughly, double the width of the kite. It is important that the strings meet directly above point x. Incidentally, an experienced person is able to make the three guide strings from one length of unbroken string.

Figure 4 shows that the kite is curved by tightening the string between points c and d. The string used for flying will be attached to the knot of the guide strings. Slackness in any of the strings will cause the kite to lean badly or even spin. To make flying easier, a tail one yard (1 meter) long can be stuck on at the point shown in Figure 4. If you can make the kite fly without a tail, you have joined the professional class.

[Diagram on page 19]

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Figure 1 (Framework)

Figure 2 (Paper)

Figure 3 (Assembled kite)

Figure 4 (In flight)