Flying dream

Clockwise from left are Rhee Ki-tai, a traditional kite master, at his workshop in Bukchon, Seoul. / Korea Times photos by Shim Hyun-chul

Kite master hopes to retrieve Joseon Kite from UK

By Chung Ah-young

Born in 1950 in Seoul, among the ashes of the Korean War (1950-1953), Rhee Ki-tai narrowly escaped death several times.

Although the war had ended, there was not enough food, let alone toys, for the children in the war-stricken city. He and his friends ate fruits and plants from Mt. Inwang in Jongno, central Seoul.

"The only thing that I could play during my childhood was kite flying, among other folk games. At that time, flying a kite as high as I could gave me vicarious satisfaction because I dreamed of flying like a bird," Rhee told The Korea Times.

The kite flying meant more than an outdoor activity for him — it was also part of his family's tradition. His grandfather, Cheon-suk, and father, Yong-an, made traditional kites during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

"Seoul Kite," Korea's only and oldest existing kite which was presented to then acting British Consul-General to Korea Thomas Watters (1840-1910) when he returned to the United Kingdom.

He began making kites in 1971 when he learned the traditional method from his father and grandfather. Since then, he has spent the past 44 years of his life making traditional kites and promoting them for folk entertainment.

"I grew up watching my father make kites, so it comes natural to me," he said.

He currently leads the Korean Kite Fliers Association. In 2000, he brought back the organization's annual kite flying event, which was stopped from 1958 to 1999, hoping to reinvigorate the tradition.

Unlike in other countries where flying kite is done mostly in the fall and spring, in Korea, the activity is often done in the winter.

"On Lunar New Year's Day and the lunar year's first full moon day, Koreans fly kites and then usually cut the strings so that fly away, believing doing so removes bad luck and brings good luck," he said.

"People play on the ground, but kite flying is done in the sky. Isn't it amazing?"

A kite written with his name.

Inventing "choyang" method

Rhee said traditional Korean kites are unique in terms of shape, color and pattern. In Korea, "bangpae" or "shield" kites are the most common.

These rectangular kites have a wind hole in the center, which is designed to reduce wind resistance, are supported by five bamboo sticks, and have an optional tail.

Rhee said flying a traditional kite is more difficult than making it. A string that is tied wrong will make the kite spin suddenly while in the air.

Thus, he developed the "choyang" method, after his artist name, in 1974. The method involves designing the frame such that it takes advantage of the natural curves of the bamboo frame, which he says allows the kite to travel further in the wind.

A tiger kite made by Rhee.

The choyang method requires five bamboo sticks — the top piece, or "meoritsal"; the two long pieces that are placed diagonally across the kite, or "jangsal"; the center vertical piece, or "jungsimsal"; and the center horizontal piece, or "heoritsal."

According to the artisan, the bamboo frame is built in a precise way. The two diagonal pieces should have the same length and thickness, the vertical piece should be straight and the horizontal piece should be thin and flexible.

The string is attached in order, from the right, left, bottom, top and then center. The lower string is attached by making holes between the horizontal wooden piece and the bottom of the kite. The center string should be tied loosely to prevent the kite from turning over in the wind.

"Kite fliers should read the wind directions very well. Understanding the wind is key to successfully making and flying a kite," he said.

Rhee seen through a wind hole on a "bangpae" (shield) kite.

Restoring the ‘Seoul Kite' from Joseon

Rhee said in his kite making career, he had the great honor of taking part in the restoration of a kite made in 1888 during the Joseon Kingdom. The "Seoul Kite" is the nation's only and oldest existing kite and was presented to then acting British Consul-General to Korea Thomas Watters (1840-1910) when he returned to the United Kingdom.

The 126-year-old kite is currently stored at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the U.K. In 2011, the Camberwell College of Arts of the University of the Arts London asked Rhee to help restore the kite, which was partially damaged.

The kite, which is 27.6 centimeters wide and 34.3 centimeters long, features scarlet and white colors along with a black circle.

"It clearly reflects a typical pattern of traditional kites that were popular during the Joseon era. It is a priceless cultural heritage," he said.

The artisan said the scarlet color was made with natural dyes from "somok," a reddish tree, and the frame was formed by attaching the bamboo sticks together using natural glues.

"Among others, the kite has a short tail, a common feature of the Joseon kites," he said.

Rhee said the kite has historical and symbolic meanings for Koreans, as it is the only and oldest existing kite with traditional values from the Joseon era.

"Kites are one-off products. We let them fly away, hoping that they bring good luck and dispel misfortune. There is no last year's kite remaining today. But it's a 126-year-old kite! It's a treasure. It has not only a historical value but also symbolizes the capital. We hope that this traditional heritage will be brought back to our people," he said.

Kite usage

Traditional kites are decorated with calligraphy or folk paintings or painted with vivid colors such as black, blue, red, yellow and white.

"In ancient times, kites were often used for practical purposes. These days, they are often used in sports," he said.

Indeed, now, kites are widely used in folk games, but in ancient times, they were often used for practical purposes, such as military signals and measuring tools.

The earliest anecdotes of Korean kites date back to the reign of Queen Seondeok (632-647) during the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla, when they were used as long-distance communication tools.

In the late 16th century, Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598) is believed to have used kites at battles. He was said to have sent signals and messages to his ships through kites with different colors and designs.

Who is Rhee Ki-tai?

Rhee was born in 1950 in Seoul. He is a third-generation kite master, succeeding his father, Yong-an, and grandfather, Cheon-suk.

He developed the choyang method of traditional kite making in 1974 to help ordinary people make kites and fly them. Thanks to the choyang method, the kite flying tradition became widely popular again starting in the 2000s.

Rhee also took part in restoring a kite made in 1888 by an artisan who lived in Hanyang, old Seoul.

The kite was given to then British Consul-General to Korea Thomas Watters (1840-1910) when he returned to the U.K.

The "Seoul Kite" is the nation's only oldest existing kite and is currently stored at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the U.K. In 2011. The Camberwell College of Arts of the University of the Arts London asked Rhee to help restore the kite, which was partially damaged.

He restored the kite using the traditional method, which was handed down from his father and great-grandfather. Rhee is the only kite master knowledgeable of the original traditional technique from the Joseon Kingdom.

His methods have been handed down to many other kite masters, including Lim Dong-ill.

What is a bangpae (shield) kite?

In Korea, "bangpae" or "shield" kites are the most common type. These rectangular kites are unique in shape. They have a wind hole in the center, which is supported by five bamboo sticks, and an optional tail.

Traditional kites are usually decorated with calligraphy or painted with five vivid colors, namely black, blue, red, yellow and white. They are classified into about 100 categories according to design, shape and color.

Kite fighting is a widely popular folk game in which fliers engage in sky duels to cut the other's kite's strings using their own kites. The wind hole makes it easier for the wind to carry the kites, and the bamboo frames make the kites strong.