Rain disrupts the largest kites from taking off in Sagami and Zama, however smaller kites bring about cheers./Kanagawa

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205040026/

May 5, 2012

This giant 3 stringed kite takes off, substituting an even larger one=Sagamihara City's Shindo Sports Pavilion

Due to the rain, the largest kits weren't able to take off. This two-stringed kite gently dances in the sky=The Sagami river grounds of Zama City

As part of the Boy's Festival Celebration which was continued since the Edo period, Sagami and Zama City's Giant Kite Festival was held on the 4th, beginning on the flood plains of both cities. Because of an unfortunately timed rain, smaller kites that were brought along substituted the giants, still bringing cheers from the visitors. The event lasts until the 5th.

Last year's Sagami Giant Kite Festival was suspended due to the Eastern Japan disaster. The Shindo Sports Pavillion is the grounds for this year's event. The flying of the largest kite, at 14.5 square meters (taking up the space of 128 tatami) and fitted with newly furnished controlling strings had to be abandoned due to the unpredictable weather. Nevertheless, occasionally during intense, steady rain, the 5.4 square meter 3 stringed kite was able to fly up to 10 seconds.

Meanwhile, Zama's giant kite featured the characters "Rising Dragon," which can be connected to both the 2012 Year of the Dragon (Chinese zodiac) and Eastern Japan's rise from disaster. The size of the kite was 13 square meters, suitable for 102 tatami. Another giant kite that took off featured Zama City's mascot,　Zamarin. It measures at 3.6 square meters and was controlled by two strings.

Both cities saw a magnificent scene on the first day. Facing the next day, Yoshizawa Miyoshi (68) of Sagami's Giant Kite Cultural Preservation Association commented: "It's been two years since flying the giant kites. We wish to extend our prayers towards the restoration of the disaster area. Shikano Masashi (75) of Zama City's association added: "When we fly the kites tomorrow, by all means we'll be thinking of Eastern Japan's recovery."

(Video of the event found on Youtube)

Original text:
雨で相模と座間の大凧見送り、小凧揚がり歓声/神奈川
2012年5月5日

大凧の代わりに揚げられた三間凧＝相模原市の新戸スポーツ広場

雨の影響で大凧は揚げられなかったが、二間凧がふわりと宙に舞った＝座間市の相模川グラウンド

端午の節句を祝う行事として江戸時代から続く相模、座間の大凧（だこ）まつりが４日、相模原、座間両市の相模川河川敷で始まった。あいにくの雨模様で、ともに大凧揚げを見送ったが、用意してあった別の小型の凧が揚がると、来場者からは歓声が上がった。５日まで。

相模の大凧まつりは昨年、東日本大震災で自粛。会場の一つ、新戸スポーツ広場では14・５メートル四方、約１２８畳ある一番大きな凧の糸目を新調するなどして準備を進めていたが、天候不順のため断念。それでも、時折、激しい雨が降りしきる中、５・４メートル四方の三間凧を約10秒間揚げた。

一方、座間の大凧は、東日本大震災からの復興と干（え）支（と）の辰（たつ）年にちなんで今年の文字を「興龍」に。大きさは13メートル四方で、約１０２畳に相当する。こちらも大凧揚げは見送られたが、座間市のマスコットキャラクター「ざまりん」などがあしらわれた３・６メートル四方の二間凧を揚げた。

初日は勇壮な様子を見せられなかった両者。翌日に向けて、相模の大凧文化保存会の吉澤美芳会長（68）は「２年ぶりに大凧を揚げて、被災地の復興祈願につなげたい」、座間市大凧保存会の鹿野正士会長（75）は「あしたは被災地復興への思いを込めた大凧を何が何でも揚げたい」と話していた。