Mishima Oniyozu (Demon-Face Kite)
Mishima Oni-yozu (Mishima Demon Kite)
Mishima Oniyozu is a kite handed down on Mishima Island, which lies in the Sea of Japan about 45 km off the coast of Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. On Mishima Island, kites are called 'yozu', and kites with a large demon (oni) face painted on washi in three colors, red, blue and black, are called 'oniyozu'. The name is also written in various ways, such as 鬼揚子, 鬼ヨーズ and おにようず. On the island there is a custom in which, when a first-born son who will become the family heir is born, relatives and acquaintances gather at the end of the year to make a large kite, which is flown at New Year to pray for the child's healthy growth. Large ones can be as big as six to eight tatami mats. The fierce demon face carries the wish that the child will grow up strong, as well as the meaning of warding off evil. The paper tassels attached to the demon's eyes are called 'namida' (tears) and express the wish that the child will grow up never forgetting compassion for others. Small oniyozu are said to bring good luck when displayed at the entrance of a home, and they are also sold as souvenirs to wish for family safety and prosperous business. The 'National Kite Flying Festival in Mishima' (全国凧揚げ大会 in 見島) has been held on the island every October.
Origin
On Mishima Island, kites are called 'yozu'. The word is thought to come directly from 揚子 or 鷂子, names that referred to kites in China. On the island, the characters 妖図 are also sometimes used for the word. Oniyozu are said by some to have existed since the Heian period, but their true origin is not known. The custom of flying a large kite to celebrate the birth of a first-born son has been passed down in households on the island.
History
In a family where a first-born son had been born, relatives and acquaintances would all turn out at the end of that year to make a large kite, and on the morning of New Year's Day the kites were flown all at once. This was done in the hope that the child would grow up healthy, just like a kite soaring vigorously into the sky. The custom is still carried on today. Every year in mid-October, the 'National Kite Flying Festival in Mishima' has been held in the island's rice-field area known as Hatcho-hattan (八町八反), with oniyozu and train kites (rendako) coloring the sky. Makers on the island also work to spread the craft, for example by teaching children from outside the island how to make the kites.
Features
Oniyozu are made by attaching a bamboo frame to the back of washi on which a demon face has been painted. The way of painting the demon face is called 'oni-kaki'. Parts include the 'heko', a tail with red-and-white stripes; the 'namida' (tears), paper tassels attached to the demon's eyes; and the 'yumizuru', attached to the horizontal spar. The kite string is called 'meima' (迷魔), and it carries the wish that the kite will not be led astray by evil spirits and will protect the child's future. It is also said that displaying one at the entrance or doorway of a home helps avert misfortune, and that having one in a shop brings prosperous business.
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
多田一馬
An oniyozu maker who lives on Mishima Island, born in 1948 (Showa 23). He grew up in the workshop where his grandfather, 多田源水, made oniyozu every day, and continues to make them on the island. According to a feature article, he also leads kite-making sessions for children from Fukushima Prefecture and works to spread the craft in Ube City.
Official site →How to Buy
- 道の駅萩往還 online store (Oniyozu kit)
- The online store of 道の駅萩往還 (Michi-no-Eki Hagi Okan roadside station) sells the '萩・見島の伝統工芸 鬼揚子キット' (Hagi and Mishima Traditional Craft Oniyozu Kit) for about 2,750 yen. The set includes a body made of the same washi as the real kites, a bamboo frame from Mishima Island and kite string, and comes with a DVD showing how to assemble it. When completed, it measures about 63 cm high (excluding the tail) and 39 cm wide.Where to buy →PR
FAQ
Q. What is the difference between '鬼ようず', '鬼揚子' and 'おにようず'?
A. They are all different ways of writing the name of the same kite from Mishima Island. On Mishima Island, kites are called 'yozu', and the kanji 揚子, 楊子 or 妖図 are sometimes used for the word. It is also sometimes written in katakana as 鬼ヨーズ, and the spelling varies among tourist guides and products.
Q. How can I get to Mishima Island?
A. It takes about 1 hour 10 minutes by Hagi Kaiun's (萩海運) high-speed boat 'Yuriya' from Hagi Commercial Port (萩商港) in Hagi City. The boarding point is about a 3-minute walk from the 'Teikisen Noriba Iriguchi' (定期船のりば入口) bus stop, which is 24 minutes from JR Hagi Station on the west-bound route of the Hagi Junkan Maaru Bus (萩循環まぁーるバス).
Q. Can I try making oniyozu?
A. According to a feature article as of 2021, a 'Mini Oniyozu Kite-Making Experience' is available if you reserve in advance with the 見島観光協会 (Mishima Tourism Association). Please check with the association in advance about fees and whether it is currently offered. If you cannot visit the island, you can also assemble one at home using the Oniyozu kit.