LOS ANGELES — He's jolly, brings joy to children around the world, and is busiest in December.
But in lieu of a red coat, he wears a happi coat and sports a "hachimaki" headband where Santa's hat would be. If there is a strong wind, he doesn't need magic reindeer to fly. Edo kite master Mikio Toki prefers to keep his feet on the ground.
Toki is one of Japan's few living experts at making, flying and painting traditional Tokyo-style kites dating back to the Edo Period (1603-1863).