Sheep-faced kites made before Year of Sheep in 2015

Sheep-faced kites made before Year of Sheep in 2015

SAPPORO, Japan - Mitsuo Tanaka in Sapporo on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido is busy producing sheep-faced kites on Dec. 16, 2014, before the start of 2015, the Year of the Sheep under the Chinese zodiac calendar. Heading a group of kite enthusiasts, Tanaka plans to fly a 100-meter kite train at the turn of the year.

Sapporo man to fly 100-m kite train in Year of Sheep

Sapporo man to fly 100-m kite train in Year of Sheep

SAPPORO, Japan - Mitsuo Tanaka, head of a kite-loving group in Sapporo in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, makes kites with sheep face drawings on Dec. 16, 2014. He plans to fly a 100-meter kite train in January as 2015 is the Year of the Sheep under the Chinese zodiac.

Sapporo workshop making 100 monkey kites

Sapporo workshop making 100 monkey kites

Mitsuo Tanaka, representative of a kite craft studio, is making 100 kites, each in the shape of a monkey -- the animal representing the year 2016 -- wearing colorful kimono, at his studio in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Dec. 15, 2015. The kites, made of bamboo frames and washi paper, will be connected to make 100 meter-long chain-like kites to fly in the skies in the New Year. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sapporo workshop making 100 monkey kites

Sapporo workshop making 100 monkey kites

Mitsuo Tanaka, representative of a kite craft studio, is making 100 kites, each in the shape of a monkey -- the animal representing the year 2016 -- wearing colorful kimono, at his studio in Sapporo, northern Japan, on Dec. 15, 2015. The kites, made of bamboo frames and washi paper, will be connected to make 100 meter-long chain-like kites to fly in the skies in the New Year. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sapporo man to fly 100-m kite train in Year of Sheep

Sapporo man to fly 100-m kite train in Year of Sheep

SAPPORO, Japan - Mitsuo Tanaka, head of a kite-loving group in Sapporo in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, makes kites with sheep face drawings on Dec. 16, 2014. He plans to fly a 100-meter kite train in January as 2015 is the Year of the Sheep under the Chinese zodiac. (Kyodo)

Kite featuring new era Reiwa

Kite featuring new era Reiwa

Mitsuo Tanaka, chief of a kite association in Sapporo, Hokkaido, smiles on April 9, 2019, while making kites featuring the kanji characters for Japan's new era Reiwa. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kite featuring new era Reiwa

Kite featuring new era Reiwa

Mitsuo Tanaka, chief of a kite association in Sapporo, Hokkaido, smiles on April 9, 2019, while making kites featuring the kanji characters for Japan's new era Reiwa. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo