How to Make A Japanese Fish Kite

On the fifth day of the fifth month, May 5, the Japanese celebrate Kodomo no Hi, Children’s Day. It is a day set aside to honor children, their strength and their happiness. Traditionally, it was known as Boys’ Day and families celebrated their sons. Girls were honored on the third day of the third month, March 3, which was known as Girls’ Day. In 1948 the government declared Children’s Day to be a national holiday and it became to celebrate all children in a family. The Japanese Fish Kite is an important part of the celebration.

Along with other activities, koinobori (meaning carp streamer) are displayed. Each family member has their own fish, and the kites differ in size depending on family order. The fish flags are hung on a pole in descending order of size, with the largest on top for the father and the smallest for the youngest child on bottom. Today black flags represent fathers, followed by a slightly smaller red or pink carp for the mother. From there the fish continue to diminish in size with blue and green flags used to represent boys and pink and orange fish representing girls. At the very top of the pole, a brightly colored windsock is flown to represent the dragon.

Materials and supplies for A Japanese Fish Kite:

20″ of 18″ wide butcher paper*
pattern of the Japanese Fish Kite – 2 pages
permanent black marker
scotch (transparent – cellophane) tape
glue stick
water color paints
paint brush
toilet paper roll
twine or kite string
hole punch
scissors

*Note: Make sure you use butcher paper and NOT freezer paper. Butcher is thin and you can easily see through it. Freezer paper is thick and has a plastic coating on one side.

Directions for A Japanese Fish Kite:

Print the pattern of A Japanese Fish Kite. There are 2 pages. Matching the triangles, tape the head of the fish to the tail of the fish. Cut out the pattern along the fold line, then roughly cut out the rest of the fish.

Fold the butcher paper in half lengthwise. Place the fish pattern along the fold line of the butcher paper and tape the fish to the paper.

Cut out the fish. You will be going through 2 layers of butcher paper. DO NOT cut out along the fold line.

Slip the pattern between the front and back pieces of the fish. The pattern will sit on the inside fold. You will be able to see the lines of the fish for tracing.

Using a fine point permanent marker, trace the eye and scales on the front of the fish.

Remove the pattern and turn the fish over. On the back you will be able to see the eye and scales you just traced. Now trace them on the back.

Create any design you want on the fish. Traditionally, scales are added to the fish and the eyes can be adorned. Children may want to use a pencil first and lightly draw the design. When they are happy with their design, they can trace over it with the black marker.

Now turn the fish over. The design will be visible from the back. Trace the design on the back.

When you open up the fish, the front and back will be alike.

Using water colors, paint the fish.

Allow the paint to dry completely. Turn the wrong side of the fish up. On one half place a pencil mark on the glue line.

Glue the 2 halves together with a glue stick. Place a 1/2″ line of glue along the edge. Do not glue the fold, the mouth or the tail below the gluing line.