On March 22 our exloration of Japanese culture continued with origami.
Our instructor was Michiko Yoshimoto, Japan Outreach Coordinator at the Soga Japan Center of Western Michigan University, and a member of our Steering Committee. Michiko explained that this traditional folk art is handed down from mothers to children – boys as well as girls learn how to fold paper into beautiful creations. She demonstrated a box that could be fashioned from old newspaper or magazine pages to hold orange peelings, cherry pits, or the like when snacking.
Our patterns began with a simple cup that would be cute for holding snacks at a party. Then we learned how to make the square box. After that, we made a tiny piano and chair, a star and a finished with a very complicated rose. Swans and cranes joined the party, too.
Book
Origami: Japanese Paper Folding
origami-kpl-160
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalamazoopubliclibrary/sets/72157623683817720/