WELCOME TO THE ORIGAMI ROOM

Origami is the art of paper folding, which is often associated with Japanese culture. The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques, without the use of cuts, glue or markings on the paper. While origami can be quite intricate, please join us in learning some simple items you can make yourself. All you need are some squares of paper or origami paper.

TSURU FOR GOOD FORTUNE AND LONGEVITY

In Japan, the "tsuru," or crane, is a mystical creature and is believed to live for a thousand years. As a result, the crane represents good fortune and longevity. The Japanese refer to the crane as the “bird of happiness”. Traditionally, it was believed that if one folded 1000 origami cranes, one’s wish would come true. It has also become a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times. As a result, it has become popular to fold 1000 cranes (in Japanese, called “senbazuru”). The cranes are strung together on strings – usually 25 strings of 40 cranes each – and given as gifts.

This tsuru display sits outside the Bainbridge Island Post Office near the Japanese gate.

Appropriately, the tsuru is the symbol used by group of Japanese American social justice advocates working to end detention sites and support front-line immigrant and refugee communities that are being targeted with unjust immigration policies. To date, they have folded 213,000 cranes, with a goal of 400,000 additional, to symbolize the number of immigrants incarcerated annually. Learn how to string your own origami tsuru for display.

MAKE YOUR OWN WEARABLE SAMURAI HAT!

The origami samurai hat, also known as a "kabuto", is a great traditional item that is so simple to make and fun to wear! Join Sakai's Maggie Hitchcock for a hands-on demonstration. If you want to make a wearable hat, you'll need to use a big piece of paper!

IT'S A BALL...IT'S A BALLOON...IT'S ORIGAMI!

With a square piece of paper, and some patience, you can fold a three-dimensional ball that you can actually blow up like a little balloon. Join Maggie Hitchcock for a hands-on demonstration of how to fold this simple and fun item.

FOLD A REAL DOLLAR BILL INTO A BOW TIE!

A dollar bill bow tie is a quirky and delightful bit of origami that is easy to make.

Try These Origami

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