The children in the calligraphy class had been talking with their teacher about doing something fun together to help with the stress caused by the long-term COVID-19 pandemic for about a year, and since the end of last year(2021), the number of infections has decreased significantly, so they thought it was now possible, and finally held a workshop early in the new year.

"New Year's Kite Making Event 2122"

 To ensure safety, the workshop was held in a spacious classroom in a community center.

The children are practicing KANJI (Japanese characters) using Japanese SUMI ink and brushes on WASHI paper while looking at the teacher's example.

We split into two groups and made "diamond kites" and "square kites."

Our calligraphy teacher also helped us out.

Kite-making workshop at Ocean's Camp TORAMI, a campsite in Ichinomiya, Chiba Prefecture.

There were about 100 guests at the campsite that day!

The weather was cloudy.

Drawing pictures on washi paper with markers.

Even small children do their best.

The kites they finished were immediately flown at the campsite!

It was the little ones' first time flying a kite!

Unfortunately, there were thick clouds!

We flew our hand-dyed washi paper train kites at the campsite. All the participants and we had a great time.

All 100 train kites went into the sky...

It would have been even more beautiful if the sky had been blue, but... What a shame!!!

A workshop on "Orizome Rocket Kite" was held at an elementary school in Denver, Colorado.

"Orizome" is a type of tie-dye.

It is a traditional dyeing method in which washi paper is folded, soaked in dye, and then tied to dye it.

Depending on how it is folded, it can be dyed into various patterns.

Everyone dyed it themselves.

They dried it outside before making it into a kite.

Everyone flew the finished tie-dyed "rocket kite" in the schoolyard.

We held a kite-making workshop at the Morikami Museum in Florida. Parents and children made "rocket kites" using washi paper and bamboo sticks that we brought from Japan.

First, we drew a picture on the WASHI paper.

The Japanese cartoon Pikachu is very popular.

Children all over the world know Pikachu.

After making the kites, everyone flew their kites in the museum garden.

The rocket kite I designed flies well even in strong winds.

A self-made train kite that I brought with me from Japan.

100 diamond kites are connected to one string.

A train kite with 100 Japanese and American flags.

She pulled the train kite with her dad.