Arts and Crafts
Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church (Nihon Fukuin Ruteru Kyokai)
In the heat of Japan's summers, the Japanese have used fans called
uchiwa, made of split bamboo and washi, a special Japanese paper. Yours can be made out of poster board and tissue paper.
Uchiwa
Materials needed:
Poster board
Tongue depressors
Stapler
Tissue paper
Water color paints
Glue stick or glue
Cut the poster board according to the pattern on this page.
Staple the tongue depressor to the fan.
Cut the tissue paper to the same size as the fan, and glue it on. Use a glue stick or spread the glue out so as not to leave big globs of glue.
Paint designs on the fan. Bamboo and flowers are common themes. Keep cool!
On Children's Day on May 5, koi-nobori--fish wind socks--can be seen flying throughout the Japanese cities and countryside. The carp are traditionally flown for the boys in the family (Girls have special dolls to display on their own festival on March 3.) The carp symbolizes courage and endurance.
But fish have also long been a sign of Christianity, since the days when early Christians drew a fish in the sand to represent their faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior, the initials of which spell
ichthus, the Greek word for fish.
Make your own fish to display, to remember your Christianity, as well as the Christians in Japan.
Koi-nobori
Plain newsprint or other large paper (can use colorful wrapping paper, and skip the painting)
Paints or markers
Scissors
Stapler
String
Enlarge the pattern below to cut a fish out of newsprint or other large paper. Paint the fish, adding scales and eyes, etc.
Fold under about two inches to strengthen the head end. Fold the painted fish in half and staple together. Staple a heavy string by the head to hang it.
Origami is also a popular craft in Japan. Look for origami books at your local library!