The term kamifūsen (
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Kamifusen_2019.jpg/220px-Kamifusen_2019.jpg)
Smaller kamifūsen are popular as traditional children's toys in Japan. These have an open hole, and reinflate as they are bounced in play. The balloon is made of glassine paper known as washi, which is air-resistant, glossy and thin, and which has sufficient plasticity to allow it to be formed into a new shape, which it can then retain.[1] The properties of these paper balloon toys are of interest to scientists.[citation needed]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Kami_Fusen_-_%E7%B4%99%E9%A2%A8%E8%88%B9_%283406832374%29.jpg/220px-Kami_Fusen_-_%E7%B4%99%E9%A2%A8%E8%88%B9_%283406832374%29.jpg)
Traditionally, kamifūsen were sold in dagashiya, small shops selling candy, snacks and inexpensive toys to schoolchildren as an alternative to the more expensive rubber balloon.[2] They are now sold in souvenir shops and online.
Another variation, known as the kakufūsen (
Physics
editToy kamifūsen display some counterintuitive properties that have been studied by scientists. Even though they have an open hole, they tend to inflate rather than deflating when bounced up by a person's hands. According to Ichiro Fukumori of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, "Despite the open hole visible in the silver patch, the kamifūsen stays inflated when bounced on the palm of one’s hand. Moreover, repeated bouncing causes a deflated kamifūsen to swell by itself to its fully inflated condition. The elastic rebound of the balloon paper is not enough to explain the full inflation; a batted kamifūsen actually sucks in air from the atmosphere."[1]
Variations
editSome kamifūsen intended for decoration are made in the shapes of animals, birds and fruits.[1]
A kakufūsen (
The Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival (
In Japanese culture
editTwo major Japanese films have featured kamifūsen in their titles. Humanity and Paper Balloons (
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Fukumori, Ichiro (1 January 2017). "Kamifusen, the self-inflating Japanese paper balloon: Unlike a rubber balloon, a kamifusen has a hole left open to the surrounding air. So why doesn't it collapse when you bat it around?". Physics Today. 70 (1). doi:10.1063/PT.3.3437.
- ^ "你
認識 這個為 人 們帶來 平靜 氛圍的 日本 紙 氣球 「紙風船 」嗎?".日本 訊息 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2019-07-30. - ^ "
置 き薬 ・くすり屋 のおまけ・景品 シリーズ 19". Kitatama Pharmaceutical Association (in Japanese). Retrieved 30 July 2019. - ^ Gordenker, Alice (18 June 2013). "Okigusuri". Japan Times. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ "A Festival of Floating Lights". All About Japan. 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
The participants begin by gluing paper together, then decorating them with colorful designs such as beautiful women or samurai, and finally placing bamboo rings into the balloons for structure. On the evening of the 10th, cloth balls soaked in oil are placed at the mouths of the balloons and ignited, lifting these ornate, delicate hot air balloons high into the night sky by the hundreds.
- ^ "The fantastical "Paper Balloon Festival of Kamihinokinai"". Japan Monthly Web Magazine. Japan National Tourism Organization. November 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ "Paper Balloon Festival of Kamihinokinai". Semboku City. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ Landry, Janessa (17 February 2014). "Akita Big Paper Balloon Festival: Watch the Kamifusen Festival light up the night sky". Japan Travel. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
Further reading
editBarrett, Timothy (2005). Japanese Papermaking: Traditions, Tools, Techniques. Floating World Editions. ISBN 9781891640261.