Make a dog out of a chopstick rest bag. Fold a letter instead of an envelope to make it a little more stylish. Fold a thousand paper cranes while thinking of someone. Origami, which can be enjoyed with just a little ingenuity, is one of the most familiar pastimes in Japan. However, when tracing the history of origami, it becomes clear that it is not just an old pastime, but a culture that is deeply rooted in the soil of Japan.

Located about a 20-minute walk from HOTEL RESOL STAY AKIHABARA Ochanomizu Origami Kaikan (hereafter referred to as Origami Kaikan) is a place that promotes the culture of origami. The director, Kazuo Kobayashi, has been using the Origami Kaikan as a base to introduce the history and culture of origami both domestically and internationally for over 40 years.

A place to properly convey the history and culture of origami

It is said that origami originated from folding paper in the rituals of Ise Shrine. During the Muromachi period, nobles began folding paper to wrap gifts, and the culture spread to the samurai, and origami developed from an aspect of ceremonies.

In the Meiji era, as Japan became more Westernized, the paper folding teaching method proposed by the German Friedrich Froebel was introduced to Japan. As a result, origami began to be used in the classroom, and it spread to many people as it was more familiar to them. Origami developed into a uniquely Japanese culture in a way that suited the times.

The history of the Origami Hall began in 1858 when Kobayashi's ancestor, Kosuke Kobayashi, started a paper dyeing business called "Somegami-ya." During the Meiji period, the shop produced the world's first educational origami, and after the war, as "Kobayashi Somegami-ten," a company that makes origami selected by the Ministry of Education, it has supported the culture of origami.

The reason why Kobayashi, the fourth generation of a dyed paper business, opened the Origami Kaikan was because he wanted to "properly convey the culture of origami." With a strong sense of mission, Kobayashi opened the Origami Kaikan in 1972. For over 40 years, he has been traveling around Japan and overseas, working to convey the culture of origami.

What I want to convey is not just how to fold the paper, but the culture behind it.

What Kobayashi thinks is important in conveying the culture of origami is to let people know the background of the materials. "I don't think you can call yourself an expert on anything unless you know about the materials behind the culture," Kobayashi emphasizes.

As the name suggests, the Origami Kaikan has a studio where the paper used to make origami is dyed. The studio is open to the public on an irregular basis, and you can observe how washi paper is dyed using a variety of methods, including brush dyeing and dip dyeing.

The Origami Hall not only exhibits origami, but also highlights the materials used in it. This is an approach that comes from the fact that the Origami Hall's business is the dyed paper industry, and it supports the museum's profound appeal.

Communicate with actions, not words

Kobayashi regularly gives demonstrations at the Origami Kaikan to many people, spreading the culture of origami. In recent years, the Origami Kaikan has been featured in an overseas guidebook, and the number of visitors from overseas has increased dramatically.

It may seem a little difficult to convey the culture of origami to customers from overseas, but Kobayashi asserts that "it's not difficult at all."

"Through giving lectures, I have gradually come to understand that all human beings are brothers. That's why I believe that even if people's behavior is different, they are the same at heart. My English grammar is terrible, but I can naturally communicate with others."

Kobayashi-san said with a smile, "I try to convey origami in as simple a way as possible during my demonstrations, and I think it's important to keep learning."

"It's very important to make it look simple and easy. So when I demonstrate folding, I try to make it look as easy as possible. Also, I always learn a lot by giving lectures, and that's also the secret to my health. So I want to keep learning."

In Kobayashi's demonstration, the participants share the same moment of laughter and surprise, and this helps to close the gap between them without relying on words. Behind his demonstration, we can see his attitude of not forcing the culture of origami on people, but experiencing the culture side by side.

Showing things rather than just using words may be Kobayashi's unique way of conveying the culture of origami.

Origami is a Japanese culture that transcends language and differences and allows people to communicate

Kobayashi says the appeal of origami is that "anyone can do it easily."

"It can be made with readily available materials and can be enjoyed by many people regardless of age, gender, nationality, or any other difference. I believe that origami is the only Japanese culture that can achieve this."

All you need is paper and a sense of fun to make origami. Behind it lies the profound history that Japan has cultivated and the creativity of our forefathers.

Kobayashi sees origami not just as a pastime, but as a culture shaped by the history of Japan, and continues to pass it on. His sense of mission continues to help spread the familiar joy and rich culture of origami to many people.

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Ochanomizu Origami Hall
Address: 1-7-14 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0034
HP: https://origamikaikan.co.jp/ 
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/ochanomizu_origamikaikan/ 
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