Ni Henian, a whistling kite artist in Leyu town, Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, looks at a kite made by him. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]
Ni Henian, a 67-year-old who lives in Shuangqiao village, Leyu town in Zhangjiagang, Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, has been making whistling kites for more than two decades.
The kites he specializes in making are a special kind that is unique to the town.
The kite-making technique was passed down from his grandfather to his father, and then to him, said Ni. He usually requires a few months to finish a kite because of the complicated steps involved.
The first step is creating a frame out of bamboo strips, which are considered the ideal material to use because of its resilience. The width and thickness of the strips depend on the size of the kite and should be kept the same.
Leyu town kites can be divided into four types: hexagonal, octagonal, and ones that are made up of seven or nine small kites.
Nonwoven fabric is usually used to make the sail, and various patterns depicting birds or immortals from folk tales are painted on it, said Ni.
Whistles that are lashed to the bamboo frame are made from dried gourds. Carving the gourds is the most time-consuming step in the entire process.