Kite Building and Flying Workshops at Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach is pleased to host several events focused on the art of kite building and flying for all ages on February 17-18.

Building and flying kites is an historic, traditional cultural practice in Japan. There are hundreds of different kite varieties, with each region of country having its own specific, traditional style.

Participate in the tradition by making and flying your very own kite with world renowned Japanese kite instructor and master craftsman, Mikio Toki and his daughter, Asami Toki.

On Saturday, February 17 there will be a family kite-making workshop from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost is $33 for a parent, $10 per child, and a $5 materials fee for each participant. Advanced registration is required. Children aged 6 and older will make rocket kites with Mikio Toki and fly them afterward.

Also on Saturday, February 17, there will be an adult workshop for ages 14 and older from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. This workshop costs $52 plus a $10 materials fee with advance registration required. Participants will make dyed kites, known as orizome, with Mikio Toki and then fly them.

On Sunday, February 18, the public is invited to fly kites, including ones built at the weekend’s events at the museum or brought from home. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Morikami Park. In the event of inclement weather, Mikio Toki will present a lecture about Japanese kites in the theater. Free but advance registration is required.

About Mikio Toki and Asami Toki:

Kite artist Mikio Toki was born and raised in Tokyo. He designs and makes Tokyo-style kites. As a young boy, Mikio was mesmerized by kites designed and flown by kite master Katsuhisa Ota. He aspired to design and build kites just like the elderly kite master and has been doing so for many years. In 2012, Mikio’s daughter, Asami decided to carry on their artistic lineage. She has assisted in kite-making workshops for children and adults in Japan as well as around the world. More recently, she has started to create new mini kites. Together, the Tokis experiment with designing traditional kites using modern materials, innovative colors, and dyes. Frequently invited to kite festivals worldwide, they continue to paint and create new Japanese kite masterpieces that they then share and fly with the public.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.