Autumn (Tokyo Studio)
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October 4th, 2008[click on image to play]
The Japan Kite Association held the 9th Adachi Kite Fly at the Rainbow Plaza on the Arakawa riverbank. Rainbow Plaza is an open public space along the river in Kita-Senju, which is towards the northern edge of Tokyo-to. As usual, we arrived at the train station and cautiously walked in what we thought was the right direction. And as usual, we twisted and turned through the neighbourhood (consultating our trusty map frequently) until we reached the river embankment. We looked up and saw one kite, then another, then another… we excitedly headed towards them. We climbed up the embankment and witnessed a sight to behold – it was like being transported into an Edo print!
There were excited young childern flying their first kites with their parents; kite enthusiasts launching with their big fanciful kites; retirees trialing the kites they made; all with the good citizens of Adachi looking on. There was even a fire engine offering children ‘joy-ride’ in the ‘cherry picker’! I saw a young father carrying his infant son on his back and at the same time flying a kite. When mum came to relieve him, he just continued flying the kite!
October 13th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I was thinking the other day ( on a very windy day) that since Melburnians love any kind of sport, they should get into kites. I find there are many windy days here and that perhaps we should all be installing wind vanes on our roofs to harness this energy as well as solar panels.
October 13th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Silvia, you and fellow Melburnians may be glad to know that Japan also has a Health and Sports day (it’s Monday, October 13, this year). This public holiday is taken seriously. We witnessed this at Inokashira Park in Kichijoji today when mums, dads, grand-dads, grand-mas, kids, and innocent passer-bys all get into a bit of sports. You name it: base-ball, badminton, soccer, tennis, frisbies, jogging, summersault, riding on bikes dangerously, and wandering around aimlessly! See posting for October 13.