Toy Gliders and Kites from Japan

For over 1200 years, koinobori (ceremonial kites) and torii (top spinners) have enchanted Japan, passed down through generations as treasured childhood objects. The Casina di Raffaello is hosting an exhibition dedicated to these small works of art crafted from wood and paper. Still made by hand today using ancestral techniques, these traditional toys reveal the richness of Japanese popular culture. The kites display colorful motifs – characters from Kabuki theater, symbolic animals, geometric patterns – while the torii are adorned with hypnotic stripes. Each piece tells a story, represents a region, and showcases a specific craftsmanship. Organized in collaboration with the Institute of Japanese Culture of Rome, this exhibition offers a playful and poetic journey to the heart of Japanese traditions, celebrating the beauty of simple objects and the persistence of play in Japanese culture.