For a real origami treat in Tokyo, look no further than the
Origami Kaikan in Ochanomizu.
Established in 1859, the Origami kaikan houses an impressive display of
origami creations in addition to an origami school, a workshop that
manufactures of washi (a fibrous paper
made from pulped tree bark) and a shop selling a whole manner of washi and
origami related products.
Simon and I popped into the Origami Kaikan with the
intention of staying just a few minutes... and emerged over an hour later after
forcing ourselves to keep moving to avoid obliterating our schedule.
Between stunning origami displays and watching the making
and decorating of washi paper, we were thoroughly entertained and when one of
the kaikan staff invited us to join an instructional origami class, well, we
could hardly refuse… nor could we refuse the offer for a second class! After making paper cranes (that can
also double up as sweet-holders for dinner parties) and a pair of ‘hot lips’,
we were introduced to Mr. Kobayashi Kazuo – chairman of the kaikan, origami
master and, as we soon discovered, author of a fantastic origami book that both
Simon and I had both purchased in Matsumoto the previous week!
Mr. Kazuo has been practicing origami for over 30 years,
displaying all this experience when, with only so much as the occasional quick
glance down to his hands, he expertly made a pair of intricately folded,
5-paper kimono dolls (and very kindly gave them to us as a gift as we left the
centre!)
The Origami kaikan is free to enter and often offers impromptu origami classes like the ones
Simon and I took part in. Ongoing
and more complex classes are also offered for a fee. It’s something a little different to break up a day of
sightseeing and what’s more is that the cute origami kits and stunning handmade
washi paper on sale make for great presents when you get home.
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