Japanese mythology (i.e., prior to the sixth century B.C.) seems to contain no reference to flying. There is therefore no close parallel to the story of Daedalus and Icarus with which we are familiar. There are, it is true, many references to the descent from Heaven of gods and goddesses, but no details are given.

One of the very ancient “ No ” plays tells of an angel descending from the sky at Tago-no-ura wearing wings made from the feathers of the crane (Tsuru). Being somewhat tired after her flight, she removed her wings, which were stolen by a fisherman. On discovering her loss, her distress was such as to move the fisherman to return the wings, which he did on the condition that the angel would dance for him before flying away. This dance (Hagoromo-no-Mai) is one of the most graceful found in the “ No ” plays.

In the Aeronautical Journal of September, 1922, the writer published an article setting out a brief description of the work that is being undertaken by aircraft in Canada, and describing more fully the details of the problems that were peculiar to the country, more particularly the technical work in connection with winter flying, and, in order to avoid repetition as much as possible, it is necessary to refer occasionally to that previous paper.