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PrintCollection Name: Drachen Foundation Collection
Collection Number: 2508
Post Type: Book
This item was entered by Matthew Sutton. They assume full responsibility for all content.
Artist or Author: Hiroi, Tsutomu
Creation Year: 1978
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ISBN: 0-394-73313-4 Language: English Description: "Now available for the first time in English, Tsutomu Hiroi's classic has long been admired in the original Japanese edition for its sheer visual appeal. Photo after photo of kites of every size, shape, color, and origin from a Solomon Islands leaf-fighting kite to a Chinese centipede to an American stingray -demonstrates how beautifully the kite combines inspired creatively with prosaic functionality.
The author, a sculptor and member of the Modern Art Society, notes: "If sculpture may be defined as 'the art of systematically harmonizing and humanizing space,'then the kite is surely a most promising form of modern sculpture" But, as Hiroi states more basically, the kite must first fly, and fly well. Woven in with his presentation of the kite as art is a discussion of the kite as sporting pastime. He describes kites around the world and through the ages, the kites of ancient and modern Japan, and the unique giant kites.
The fundamentals of kite-making are covered: basic aerodynamic principles; materials and equipment; how-tos of making a basic box kite, gunya-gunya kites, bamboo frames, sky-climbers, and hummers-plus, with Hiroi's sense of artistry, creative kites. Through his vision of kites as an expression of fine art, Hiroi exhorts kite enthusiasts to seek not only technical perfection but also inspiration in making ever more original creations-a modern contribution to an exquisite and ancient tradition.
Valerie Govig, publisher- editor of Kite Lines, the journal of the American Kitefliers Association, has written a foreword for the American edition. In addition, helpful appendixes on wind speed measurement, weight and measurement conversion, Japanese kite terms, Japanese and American kite festivals and associations, and kite specialty stores have been added to make it easier for you to soar above the earth with this wonderfully pleasant pastime.
Tsutomu Hiroi is currently a professor at Gakugei University in Japan. He has been visiting professor of sculpture at the University of Denver, Ohio State University, and California College of Arts and Crafts, and has lectured the training class of the Japanese Ministry of Education on kites. His personal collection contains over 1,500 different kites."
Copyright 1978 by Randon House, Inc.
144 pages
Geographic: Japan
Materials: Paper
Images: (Click to open in viewer.)
