The Drachen Foundation Masters Grant
Tako Ryokan: A Week with Mikio Toki
In honor of both the tradition of Japanese kite making and the resurgence of kite making in a contemporary manner, the Drachen Foundation is proud to announce its first scholarship for a contemporary kite maker to study with a Japanese Master in his home.
The Master is Mikio Toki
Mikio Toki is one of the finest contemporary kite makers and painters in Japan and has showcased his talent in exhibitions and demonstrations throughout the world. The traditionally shaped Japanese kites of bamboo and washi provide the perfect frame for his distinct style of painting.
Having studied graphic design in school, Toki learned about Edo kites from traditional kite maker Katsuhisa Ota and has worked to keep the traditional Edo kite form alive. Establishing himself as a professional kite maker, Toki has honed skills useful for building a career with both Japanese and international admirers.
The Contemporary Artist is Greg Kono
A third generation Japanese American and native of Sacramento , California , Greg Kono graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design in 1986. He has run his own design studio since 1991.
In his kite making, Kono explores the culture and materials—bamboo and washi—used by his ancestors. His playful imagery ranges from objects and memories from his youth growing up on a farm, reflecting vegetables, toys, fishing reels to a continuing interest in anime. He has designed a series of kite kits for the Drachen Foundation.
This exclusive award will be granted every two or three years and will match a traditional kite artist with a respected international contemporary kite artist. The Foundation will arrange to pay for travel and expense of the grantee to live with the traditional kite maker for 5 days. The winner will be the guest of the “master,” learning not only the traditional manner of making kites, but experiencing the culture of the country in which the instruction is being conducted. The individual will be expected to eat and live without special arrangements, in order to understand and appreciate more the master and his life.
In exchange for this grant, the grantee will file a report on their experience with photos, as well as gift one kite exemplifying the experience transferred to the Drachen Foundation collection, no less than one year after the week-long apprenticeship is completed.