Japan America Society of Southern California
Building Japan-America Relationships Since 1909
Japanese Kite Workshops
- Applications for 2025 are now closed -
Since its inception in 2001, every Fall Semester, the Japan America Society of Southern California has organized and coordinated Japanese kite-making workshops for under-served elementary school students in the greater Los Angeles region. These workshops are offered at no cost to the schools and are part of our mission to share Japanese culture and creativity with the local community.
This year, Master Kite Maker Mikio Toki will once again visit Southern California from Japan, joined by his apprentice and daughter Asami Toki. Over the course of five days, they will lead hands-on workshops at selected elementary schools, guiding students through the traditional process of building and flying their own Edo-style kites.
These workshops offer a meaningful cultural exchange and a joyful opportunity for students to express their creativity, engage with Japanese traditions, and take pride in crafting something with their own hands.
Let the kites soar—and imaginations take flight!
Since its inception in 2001, every Fall Semester, the Japan America Society of Southern California organizes and coordinates its Hitachi Japanese Kite Workshops for under-served elementary school children in the greater Los Angeles region. JASSC is proud to support these kite workshops as part of our mission to share Japanese cultural activities with the people of Southern California and beyond.
There was laughter, excitement, and big smiles on the students' faces. We received a warm welcome and great engagement from the faculty and volunteer parents that joined the workshops. The students not only enjoyed creating their own special kite, but could not wait to go outside to fly them. One student said, "Thank you for the tako (kite) making class. I had a great time. It was my first time flying a kite!"
Another student shared his dream. "I want to become a pilot when I grow up and seeing my kite fly so high, I know I can fly high and become a pilot." Growing up in tough and historically overlooked neighborhoods of Los Angeles, there are many challenges these students face. In fact, at almost all the schools we visited, we saw students being served a school breakfast or lunch, which typically are the only meals they have for the day. These kite workshops create magical moments for these students, allowing them to boost their imagination and confidence. By sharing the Japanese culture through Japanese kite making, we are opening up their world to new perspectives and thoughts, providing some space for them to hope and dream a little more. It is heartwarming instances like these that truly inspire us to continue offering these workshops.
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The Workshops are conducted by Japanese Kite Master Mikio Toki, and when available, one or more additional Japanese kite masters. These are “hands-on,” in-classroom experiences that introduce Japan and Japanese culture through the building of a small, traditional Japanese kite made of bamboo and washi (Japanese paper).
Mr. Toki is one of a few Edo-style kite masters left in this world.
To date, more than 17,600 under-served students have benefited from this program!
In addition to constructing their first kite, the schoolchildren receive and experience:
- Bamboo and washi paper Japanese kite kit
- Society volunteers assisting the Japanese Kite Master (promoting a positive image of Americans and Japanese working together)
- Japanese Kite Master(s) wearing traditional Japanese kite-flying kimono
- Introduction to the history of kites in Japan
- Display of two dozen, hand-made Japanese kites
- Discussion of the materials and techniques used to build Japanese kites
- Techniques to decorate the kite in a Japanese style
- How to write one’s name in Japanese katakana characters
- Mini-Kite Festival on the schoolyard where the schoolchildren will fly their first kite alongside the Japanese Kite Master
Through the Hitachi Japanese Kite Workshops, schoolchildren with the greatest need are provided a positive introduction to Japanese culture. The Workshops also help develop each child’s creativity, as well as promote an “I can do it!” attitude after they successfully build and fly their first kite. Furthermore, the Workshops have a profound and lasting influence; teachers report that during end-of-school-year reviews, a majority of students cite the Hitachi Japanese Kite Workshop as their favorite educational experience of the year!
You can help increase the number of students served!Donate to the great cause today by clicking on the "Donate" button below.
Be sure to check "JASSC Educational Programs - HITACHI Japanese Kite Workshops".