A huge traditional kite emblazoned with a glowing rising sun from tsunami-hit Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, is on display at Tokyo Midtown.
A huge traditional kite emblazoned with a glowing rising sun from tsunami-hit Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, is on display at Tokyo Midtown.
The Hinodetenbata kite, along with the Tsugarutako kite from Aomori Prefecture’s Tsugaru area and other kites, will be exhibited at the shopping complex in Roppongi until Jan. 29. The facility will be closed New Year's Day.
The Hinodetenbata kite, 3.6 meters by 2.7 meters, was constructed last year in Kesennuma. It was undamaged by the tsunami because it was stored far from the sea.
Locals are trying to promote the flag as a symbol of the rebuilding effort in the town, saying its rising sun motif best denotes the ongoing revitalization of the area. In Kesennuma, kites are called “tenbata,” rather than “tako,” standard Japanese for kite.
“I’ve never seen such a huge kite before,” said a 9-year-old elementary school student from Nagoya’s Showa Ward who visited the site with her mother and younger brother.
“I wish the best of luck to all the people in the disaster areas,” she added.