How To Make A Rokkaku Kite

Dowel Rokkaku: Template, Tips, Step-By-Step eBook

Here's how to make a Rokkaku kite! The Template and Tips might be sufficient, otherwise try the step-by-step eBook for making the MBK Dowel Rokkaku Kite. Every kite in the Dowel series is made to be transportable, rolling up into a convenient long, slim package like a Sled.

The Template and Tips below should be enough if you are a keen kite person. If you have put together a number of kites before, with a few different kinds of bridles, the Dowel Rokkaku should not be much of a challenge! Everything you need, apart from the dowels perhaps, might already be lying around your house somewhere. I'm assuming you know how to make a Rokkaku kite with low overall weight and appropriate knots.

The MBK Dowel Rokkaku is a large tail-less design based on the traditional Japanese kite. Like the other Japanese design in this series, the Sode, this kite is a light to moderate wind flier.

The template shown above represents one side of the kite sail of course.

How To Make A Rokkaku Kite - Tips

• 5mm oak dowels worked well for me. You might look at using 3/16" dowels, which is pretty much the same.
• Try positioning the template so the edge of a bag becomes the center-line of the kite.
• For more durability, edge the sail with sticky tape.
• Cap each spar tip with a single piece of insulation tape, wrapped around and stuck on both sides of the plastic sail.
• A kite this size deserves a decent bridle, so go with the standard 4 point Rok bridle for this one. Attach the flying line with a shiftable knot to get an adjustable towing point.
• Put some bow into both horizontal spars, to give the kite stability.

The step by step instructions for this Rokkaku are also included in an eBook covering the entire Dowel series. It's a nice reference if you want to eventually make a whole range of different kites, of similar size. The info is pitched at the beginner, with very detailed instructions on a range of kite-making topics. Including the technique for making the kites transportable. This is explained individually for each kite.

However, the book is well-organized so the more experienced kite-maker can quickly scroll through and pick out bits of detail that are helpful or interesting. The long Table Of Contents helps too!

Click here for more info on the eBook 8 MBK Kites To Make - The Complete Dowel Series.

How To Make A Rokkaku Kite - Flying!

You know how to fly, so I won't elaborate here. Except to say that we have had some really enjoyable flights with this sizable Rokkaku floater! This kite will easily reach 400 feet above ground on a 50 pound flying line. With a 4-point bridle, it behaves itself very well over a good wind range. However, for this Rok, it's 'the less wind the better'. The video up there shows it floating in a light breeze just before sun-set.

In the launch picture over there, the big Rokkaku is hanging in a fairly smooth light breeze, on its first flight.

In fact, the wind was so light, I was able to give the flying line to my 3 year old son for a while, while I snapped off a few pictures!

Have fun flying, and I hope you've enjoyed seeing how to make a Rokkaku kite the MBK way!

By the way, if you would rather make a smaller Rokkaku that is half as tall as the Dowel design, why not try the 2-Skewer Rokkaku kite instead. Or, going half as tall again, the tiny 1-Skewer Rokkaku kite could be just the ticket!

Last updated: 9 Mar 2010