HAMAMATSU MATSURI: THE KITE FESTIVAL

In Asia, traditions, rituals and legends are of great significance, and the festivals that celebrate those traditions are very important too, and that is why at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we would like to tell you about the Kite Festival.

The Japanese kite is called “Tako” and missionaries brought it to Japan from China and used them for religious and tribute ceremonies. However, these changed in time and their use was also modified. In Japan, they started being used to carry materials to build temples.

The first written reference regarding kites is in a dictionary where they are referred to as “Kami-tobi”, which literally means “paper falcon”, which according to Historians suggests that the first kites resembled birds.

The kite “Yakko-daro” was the most popular one among business and wealthy families. They represented human figures with open arms making funny poses, although the real funny fact was that they used to get their kites painted to look like their servants.

The Japanese “tako” was made out of traditional Japanese paper (“washi”) painted with natural ink, (“sumi”), and a bamboo stand. Nowadays, Cypress wood is also used.

In Japan, there are currently 130 different kites, many of which represent the specific regions of the country.

Asian tradition says that a kite must be flown during the Children’s Day Festival from 3rd to 5th of May as well as during other festivities throughout the year. Doing so, helps protect whoever flies the kite.

Another tradition still celebrated nowadays is giving a “tako” as a present to the first born child of a family to protect him every time he flies his kite up until he becomes an adult.

The most popular kites being used nowadays are:

– Fukusuke: showing a big-headed dwarf who is said to bring good fortune, or a crane or turtle, symbols of longevity.

– Kinorta: a carp, symbol of strength and bravery.

If you are a fan of kites, at the Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, we offer you the best place to fly your “tako” by the sea, where the breeze of the Mediterranean will make your experience much more memorable.

Come and enjoy the Mediterranean in the best luxury hotel in Spain!