They also attached bamboo pipes to the kites that whistled horribly, and these creations were flown over enemy troops, causing panic. Pretty cool. The Japanese thought so, too, and the island empire co-opted the invention more than 1,000 years ago. Both nations called them "paper hawks."
The Japanese take kite flying seriously, mixing artistry and craftsmanship and culture in equal measure. An exhibit of traditional Japanese kites and tops takes over the East- West Center Gallery beginning today.
The tops come in all shapes and sizes, and range from little E.K. Fernandez-like carny rides to centerpieces, to tops that can pick a number at random.
The kites, however, come in every shape and size and color, ranging from delicate butterflies to bruiser dragons.
"Japanese kites are quite different from Western kites. They have such tradition and history," said Robert Loera of Kite Fantasy, a shop that caters to confirmed kite-holics.
"You've seen American kites darting around, being maneuverable, but pretty abstract in the way they're decorated. Japanese kites are more artistic, and they go for stability and altitude.
"You go to a place like Hamamatsu in Japan" - the kiters' version of Kitty Hawk in the United States - "and they have a festival more than 400 years old. They are teams of guys flying big kites on big ropes, going for altitude, and the kites bear the name of their first-born son. It's lucky to fly the highest."
The sheer variety of kites in Japan is overwhelming. What Loera likes about Japanese kiting is that it's a complete package. Every aspect of the process matters, from design to the craftsmanship of building it to the skill of flying it.
In the past, the Japanese used kites to drop secret messages behind castle walls. They were flown to ward off evil, which is why some are decorated with the faces of demons, and some of these have long "tongues" hanging down to frighten away evil spirits.
They're mostly flown today during festivals or events, such as a birthday party, or during the May 5 boy's day festival, when parents would write the name of their year-old son on a kite decorated with a mighty warrior and fly it as high as possible. Turtles and cranes, symbols of long life, were popular as well.
Paper was the limiting factor in Japan for centuries, keeping kiting as the hobby of the rich and powerful. But during the Edo period (1603 - 1868) paper became cheap enough for the average Joe, and the invention of Ukiyo-e woodblock printing made kite decorating bright and colorful. Commoners would fly kites over the estates of the samurai so they could vicariously look down on the big bosses. This was such a hit that the shogun forbade it at one point.
It's not all that easy to fly kites any more, particularly in the big cities where tall buildings and electric lines fence in these tethered spirits. Besides, how can kites compete against Donkey Kong?
Some Japanese grade schools have introduced kite design and construction as a handicraft elective, and so kites are enjoying a small rebirth in Japan. Some of the kites in the EWC collection come from these classes.
"Japanese Kites and Tops" is created by the Japan Foundation and presented by the East-West Center and the Consulate General of Japan.
The Hawaii Challenge International Sportkite Championships, March 1
and 2: This 14th annual event is the longest-running competition in the world, and includes tandem flying, acrobatics, workshops and a kite-powered bicycle demonstration.
The Oahu Kite Festival, March 15: A family event, now 31 years old, with awards for most beautiful kite, largest kite, smallest kite, sprint race, high flyer, most spectacular crash and oldest flyer.
The Honolulu Kite Festival, March 16: This event brings in more than 40 traditional Japanese kite flyers and crafters from the Japan Kite Association, plus many from Hawaii.
These events are produced by KiteFantasy and the Hawaii Sportkite Association. Information: 735-9059.