Investigating the Origami Mecca! Origami Kaikan

Right before I left Japan, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit a place called the "Origami Kaikan" in Ochanomizu, Tokyo.  Origami Kaikan is one of the six cultural treasures of the Bunkyo Ward.  It was established in during the Ansei period 1858 as a center for the dying and manufacturing washi papers.  It felt really wonderful to be there again (the last time I made the trip was back in 2006!)  The building has a variety of floors and each has a different purpose: classrooms, origami store, paper store, gallery/exhibition space, etc.  In the store I was able to pick up a few interesting kits to learn to make new things (including a cute dragon cellphone strap)!  Times like this I wish I was still living in Tokyo so that I could attend origami classes and use the resources. I was really amazed at the level of complexity of some of the models they had in their exhibition space.  The paper selection was also absolutely crazy.  I wish that I had an opportunity to be spoiled like that!

If you ever find yourself in Tokyo, the Origami Kaikan is actually pretty easy to get to.  You need to take the JR Chuo line (which connects with the Yamamote Line) to Ochanomizu Station.  From there, it is only about a 4-5 block walk and might take 7 minutes or so.  Their website has a useful map in English if you need some guidance.  Even if you do not fold origami yourself, if you have any appreciation for traditional handmade papers and papercrafts in general, this would be a rewarding experience!

Reflecting on Sapporo

The "Akarenga" in Downtown Sapporo

Stellar Place Mall and Sapporo JR Station

For the first week of my three week adventure, the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido, Japan was my "homebase."  The first thing that struck me about the city is how young its history was in comparison to other places I have visited.  It lacked those architectural elements that we have long associated with Japan--tea houses, temples, shrines.  They exist, but they do not serve the prominent role that they do in, say, Kyoto.  Instead, buildings like the Old Hokkaido Government Building (ok "akarenga" named for its red bricks) built in 1888 compete with the ultra modern city space.  

The terrifying "Jungle Crow"! Akarenga is surrounded by two gorgeous lily ponds filled with ducks and lotus... They are also filled with another animal... JUNGLE CROWS!  These things are MASSIVE.  Compared to the normal crows around here (about 29-40cm) these things can get to about 59cm.  Aside from sheer size, they are extremely aggressive as well.  Apparently, they are larger in Hokkaido than anywhere else in Japan! (Go figure...)  You can tell them from normal crows immediately by their large bill.

Aside from seeing historic buildings and running from evil "karasu" (crows), Sapporo's nightlife was quite surprising.  After having lived in Tokyo, it is hard to imagine that anything could compare to Tokyo's Ikebukuro or Shibuya after dark, but Sapporo's Susukino could compete with the best of them.  I had my fill of sushi, karaoke, and I tried a dish unique to the area called "jingiskan" (Genghis Khan) which was a hot plate on which you cooked leeks, onions, and thin slices of raw lamb, dipping them into a sauce with heavy garlic.  It was delicious (but I am pretty sure I smelled like garlic for the next few days!)  Next post we will travel to Noboribetsu!

The lights in Susukino! Can you spot the Sapporo Beer sign?

Sayonara Japan! Hello US!

So I am writing this post from inside of an “R Burger” in Haneda Airport waiting for my flight back to the United States. My three week trip was many things – enlightening, exhilarating, and even exasperating at times. But after everything it was “tanoshikatta” (fun) more than anything!

For somebody who spends a great deal of their time working on Japan-related things, it must seem surprising that flying is not really my forte. No, I don't have a psychological aversion to it, but it always makes me think of how I am always coming and going. When I leave the United States, I always think about the people I will miss during the time I am away, but when I leave Japan it is always a different kind of sadness. When I leave Japan, I never really know the next time that I will be able to get here. I always regret the things that I couldn't finish, the people I couldn't see, and the places that I couldn't visit. Sometimes I feel like I have a family on each coast – neither of them can speak to each other b/c of the language barrier, but somehow I am forming a bridge between the most unlikely of friends. When I left the United States, my mother said, “Make sure you tell Okaasan that I said hello and thank you!” and when I left Sendai, my “Nihon no Okaasan” (Japanese mother) said, “go-ryoushin yoroshiku ne (give my regards to your parents). They have never met in person but each person feels like they know the other well through me.

I accomplished a lot on this trip though, so I can only be sad for so long. I am sure I will start giving more detailed accounts as I start dumping my photographs onto the computer, but my trip started out in Sapporo, Hokkaido where I visited Ainu villages (Nibutani and Shiraoi), visited the strange landscape of Noboribetsu's Hell Valley (Jigokudani), and explored a new city. I then went south to Hakodate, Hokkaido and enjoyed the surreptitious blending of East and West in this port city. Taking Shinkansen, I crossed into Honshu and visited the infamous Konjikido at Chusonji temple in Hiraizumi and explored the natural wonder that is Geibikei Gorge. I went futher south still to spend time with loved ones in Sendai where I got a feel for how the Tohoku region was faring after the earthquake and tsunami. Finally, I said a quick “Hello!” and “Goodbye” to Tokyo – one of the places that I had the privilege of calling “home” several years ago. Three weeks and I can't believe it is over. I guess now it is time to return to the United States to start some new adventures with the material I have learned. So many stories to tell – stay tuned and see you all soon!

Treasury Thursday: Origami Atlas | Mapping My Way Home

With all of this traveling I have been doing, it has made me think a lot about maps. (Mainly since I would have been lost without them, no pun intended!)  I love origami but I have never been the best at overly complicated designs.  I do best with simple folding and modular units.  However, this does not mean that I cannot be creative with my materials.  Some of the prettiest pieces I have ever made have been from magazine inserts, old books, and, yes you guessed it, maps!  Maps and old atlases have a classic quality about them and they have this great ability to turn a boring white paper crane into a fascinating art work as shown by SpareBedroomStudio's Around The World Crane Mobile and localcolorist's Map of New York City Peace Crane Ornament.  (Or, dare to go outside the box with an origami turtle like paperdisciple.) They are a great way to display your trips inside of scrapbooks and travelogues, and make a compelling display for your living room like laylaloustudio's origami butterflies.  I will probably fold my maps from this journey into something pretty once I find a free moment.

Since maps are usually quite large, they make great boxes as demonstrated by these Repurposed Origami Boxes by PrincessPeony.  They can also be used for gorgeous kusudama exemplified by Deliverance05 or theStarcraft.  And this is even before getting into the wonderful ways in which maps can be used to create unique jewelry.  If you are feeling the travel bug, why not try some of your favorite origami designs with repurposed maps and atlases?  I know that my local library is always throwing out their old versions, and you can often find them in garage sales.  Next time you go on a trip, be sure to pick up an extra and let me know what you make with it!

Etsy Treasury: Origami Atlas | Mapping My Way Home