Origami makers take form to new heights

By Shogo Hiraide / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

14:36 JST, September 21, 2021

Intricate works of art created by folding colorful pieces of paper can been seen at the Tokyo Origami Museum located near the Sumida River’s Umayabashi bridge in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.

Visitors can look at a variety of origami, the traditional Japanese art of folding paper that has long been popular among foreigners, on display created by origami artists and enthusiasts.

The museum was opened in 2010 by the Nippon Origami Association, which promotes origami culture in both Japan and abroad. The museum houses the association’s offices as well as a classroom to hold origami classes.

About 230 origami are on display at the museum, some of which were created by origami artists, but most have been collected from enthusiasts who have displayed their works at events organized by the association.

The first piece visitors see when they walk in is Akira Iwabuchi’s work, “Under the full-blown wisteria trellis of cranes!!” The miniature diorama features small origami cranes that are displayed in such a way to resemble a wisteria trellis and grass. The work creates a scene in which children are looking up at the wisteria trellis, which is created using purple canes, beads, disposable chopsticks and other materials.