The Washington herald., 1907-08-04
EXHIBITION OF KITES
Illustrating the Best Flyers
of Chinese Empire.
THE FINE FESTIVAL OF FUCHOw
show the Love of Art and DecOra-
tiOn Characteristic of Celestial
Empire where Kite Flying is a
National PastIme-Battles that Are
Fought High in the Air.

One of the largest and most fantastic
arrays of kites ever 20 reach this country
Is now at the American Museum of Nat
ural History. says the New York Times
It forms one of the leading features OF
new and extensive Chinese collection, re-
Gently obtained by the well-known Orlen-
tai explorer and traveller DR.. Berthold
Laufer. Through the generosity Of Jacob
H. schiff. this collection has become part
Of the institution 1t is designed to Illus
trate the ancient arts, crafts, and indus
tries of the empire, as we'll as the
present artistic culture. everyday life,
amusements, and popular pastimes Of
the people. These surprising and ex-
traordiuary kites are not yet all dis
PLAYED. but IN the new west wing now
being built there Is to be a special
Chinese hall, where they are 10 be ef-
fectively exhibited. A Times man, how
ever, obtained photographs Of some Of
the most important and picturesque OF
the kites, together with some interesting
information in regard TO them. They
were all secured in Pekln, from a cele-
brated kitemaker, and consist of about
100 different sizes. designs. and shapes.
They cost from 25 cents for the smallest
up TO so for the largest and highly dec
GRATED ones. In kitemaking, China is far
ahead Of the rest Of the world, and in this
particular sport she has no rival among
the most progressive nations Of the Occi-
dent In vivid contrast to the crude and
unadorned productions OF America. with
it's tail of rags, are the attractive. artistic.
and elaborately painted playthings Of the
Chinese.
Wonderful specimens.
The kites are wonderful specimens in
their way and portray a great deal OF in
genuity, especially the love OF art and
decoration which runs through the whole
life of the Chinese people, from their
highest creations to the most common
place object Of amusement. The frame OF
the kite IS of light bamboo, covered with
rice paper. upon which is painted in bril-
liant hues the many human portrait fig
ures and the various animal creatures.
The plain and simple-shaped kite Of the
Yankee boy IS put to blush In comparison
with the unique and gorgeous -cOl0red
creations Of the Chinese. In China kite
flying is a national pastime. and is one
Of the leading outdoor diversions Of the
sons OF both mandarins and mobiles, as
well as the lower and middle classes.
They are flown on certain holidays. one
of the most popular being the Festival
Of Ascending-on-High, occurring on the
ninth day Of the ninth month On this
occasion the hills and open country are
covered with great professions Of kite
flyers. both old and young, who devote
the whole day to this sport. The kites
are manipulated by coil Of strong cord
wound over a reel In FuchOw. some 30
O00 people assemble on the hills annually
during the kite festivals 10 watch and
join in this highly popular amusement
The great variety OF the fitting forms.
thousands or more cause a marvellous
spectacle in the air, producing a sort Of
panorama Of the hobgoblins OF the up
per world. The universal use Of the kite
is not looked upon as a form Of amuse-
ment alone, but has a sort OF religious
interest connected with IT, as each par
ticular kite has It's meaning and conveys
some emblematic idea 4 story or legend
is suggested, and some famous god or
warriors face may be depicted. The
likenesses Of various animals and In
sects, more or less believed to be crea-
lures Of good luck rather than evil. such
as frogs, fishes. freflies. butterflies, owls,