June 6, 2012

Collection Name: Drachen Foundation Collection

Collection Number: 2648

Post Type: Book

This item was entered by Ali. They assume full responsibility for all content.

Artist or Author: David Kung

Creation Year: 1962

Length: 12 inches

Height: 5/8 inch

Width: 8.5/8 inches

Summay:

In the world of kite collections, this is one of the most coveted books to have in one's collection. Done by American David Kung, it is a personal research project on traditional Japanese kitemakers and kites. Handtyped and then type set, the Japanese style bound paper editions were done. The Drachen copy does have the stamp to indicate "Number ____of " but is NOT filled in. I have tracked maybe 10 people who have a copy in their libraries. The NOTE in the front gives us some information: "This small "hore-made" volume resulted in itially from teh writer's work in gathering kites throughout Japan, in connection with the 960 Annual children's Carnival at the Museum of Modern Art, New York---"Japanese Kites for Carnival Time." During this project, the writer's fondness and boyish nostalgia have grown, especially in his talks with the old kite craftmen who are perhaps the last generation of real kite makers of Japan. Therefore, it is hoped that this little edition may serve in some measure to record a vanishing art---Japanese kite making. During the course of the project, Mrs. Alison Graham, who has an unusual interest and love for Japanese folkcrafts, joined our work. Without her sustained enthusiasm and tender feeling, as well as her active role in editing and type-setting, the prsent work would not be possible. My thanks also go to Mr. Kamichi Miyamoto, Director of the Japanese Ukiyo-e Association, for his kite assistance in arranging the selection of rice-papers, woodblock prints and actual printing and binding. D.K., 1962 36 pages, hand tipped black and white photos hand tipped woodblock prints ALL RIGHTS RESERVED David. S. Kung Tokyo, 1962 Contents: 

A Short History of Japanese Kite Making

Different Kinds of Present-day Kites

The Kite Makers:  Artists and Craftsmen:  Interviews with Jiroji Fukuda, Magoji Takeuchi, Kaiichi Kinoshita, Seijiro Sudo, Katsuta Yanagise, Tatsunosuke Tanaka, Senmatsu Iwase.

 

Geographic: Japan

Kite Type: Bowed, Figure, Flat

Materials: Bamboo, Paper

Significance: Art, Cultural

Images: (Click to open in viewer.)