Rokkaku Kite

Materials and Tools:

20" x 25" sheet of art paper
green decorative handmade paper
blue tissue paper
2 pieces of 1/8" bamboo from a window shade - each 21" long
piece of 1/4" bamboo - 25" long
black permanent marker
kite cardboard template (isosceles trapezoid)
white glue
small cable ties
toothpick
200 feet of 20 lb. or 30 lb. string
20" bridle string
7" loop of string
double-stick tape
small cube weights
scissors

Steps:

1. Fold the art paper in half lengthwise.

Figure A

2. Place the kite template onto the fold of the paper (figure A), trace around it with a permanent marker and cut it out.

Figure B

The resulting cutout will be a hexagon (figure B).

Figure C

3. Glue a 25-inch piece of bamboo (spine) in the fold using wood glue (figure C).

Figure D

Place small weights along the spine until the glue begins to set (figure D).

Figure E

4. Glue the spreaders (the two 21-inch bamboo pieces) horizontally at the top and bottom of the kite. They should fit in the corners so that they extend 1/2 inch beyond the paper (figure E).

Figure F

5. Cut off the ends of the spine even with the tip of the kite (figure F).

Figure G

6. Attach four cable ties to the protruding parts of the spreaders and clip off the extra (figure G).

Figure H

7. Cut an interesting shape out of handmade paper and attach it to the face of the kite (figure H).

8. Cut a circle of blue tissue paper and attach it to the face of the kite using double-stick tape.

Figure I

9. Attach the tension lines around the cable ties (figure I).

10. Poke holes in the sail next to the spine and spreader with a toothpick.

11. Knot the bridle line around the spine and the spreader. Note: Keep the knots on the front of the kite.

12. Wrap the loop of string around the bridle line twice, each time going through the loop.

13. Dangle the kite from the bridle and slide the bridle so that the kite is 2 inches above horizontal at the top.

14. Attach the flying string to the loop.

15. Fly in mild winds. Add a tail for heavier winds.

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