Buddhika Weerasinghe: National Kite-Flying Contest

A family flies kites during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

©Buddhika Weerasinghe

Competitors fly a world heritage Himeji Castle shaped kite during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A child sits on the ground next to children holding kites during the oppening ceremony of 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Competitor stand next to kite during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Competitors assist in flying a 150 meters long kite during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Competitors fly an eight meters high kite during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Competitors fly a kite during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Competitors prepare to fly kites during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Competitor flies a kite during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Competitors fly a 150 meters long kite during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A long kite, (150 meters long) flies during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Competitor flies an eight meters high kite during the 38th National Kyte-Flying Contest at Himeji Park Horserace Course on January 8, 2012 in Himeji, Japan. Kite flying is a typical New Year seasonal activity in Japan. Many local people and kite fans arrived to watch about 800 kites of 80 varieties fly from across Japan take a part in the annual kite flying contest. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)