Why Origami is Important for Us All
I love origami. It’s fun and enjoyable to make and can expand the world for many people in different ways.
When I was much younger, I was actually quite shy (though most people today wouldn’t believe it!) and it was difficult for me to make friends or even stand out in class among the other children. One thing that helped me get out of my shell was origami. I would sit quietly folding different origami models that I learned from my father. Once a model was done, I would place it on my desk and start another one.
The one folded paper object was enough to grab the curiosity of some children and from there, new friendships were made. The other children would ask me what I was doing and even request certain objects, and I would show how to make certain things like 3D tulips or cranes. This unexpected attention actually helped me interact with others and gain the confidence I needed, because I was introducing a new concept that I knew and loved.
People of all ages can do the same thing, whether it’s to gain confidence, to create a new environment for themselves, or change someone’s mood. For example, sometimes when I’m out and I see children who are cranky or sad, and quite possibly giving their parents a hard time, I try to find a scrap piece of paper and quickly fold an origami crane (traditional Japanese bird).
After asking the parent if it’s alright to give to the children, I would introduce this new “toy”, and it surprisingly quiets them down quickly since most of these children have never seen origami before.
I always get surprised looks from the parents, mainly because it’s not common for random people to approach you with folded paper toys, but once they see the results, the surprise turns to a smile.
One piece of scrap paper not only became a quiet moment for the parent, but also a new curious toy for the child.
The benefits of origami are truly endless for future advancements and stress relievers in everyday life.
The simple techniques and creations exercise the brain just like solving puzzles and helps personalities grow by building confidence. Also, as I’ve mentioned in an article based on origami benefits, it’s also the perfect tool to train fine motor skills for people both young and old.
The cute, confusing and overall strange ads from Japan
Hello all!
At the moment, I’m busy working on new projects to post for you, but in the meantime, I would like to show you this interesting site I came across -it’s all about japanese commercials.
If you have ever seen japanese commercials, you know the artistic choreography and sense of humour can be quite…….well, let’s be honest, it’s very odd. Don’t take my word for it, check it out and tell me your thoughts!
Hanami 2010 – Cherry Blossoms and Friends
The season is in full bloom and it’s time to party and have a great time with friends.
Right now, it’s the peak of the blossoms in Tokyo, so we create events or simply find time to go out and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Yesterday was my picnic event…..and along with my party group (that was large in itself) the amount of people that went out to Yoyogi park (most famous park in the city) was unbelievable!
This year was far more packed than in previous years -truly an experience for all.
Sometimes you get lucky and get to a park early or at a time where there aren’t as many people (like a weekday afternoon):
If you ever plan a visit to Japan, try to book it during Hanami season, so that you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the loveliest season and it’s celebrations.