In United States and parts of the world 11.11 is either Veterans Day or Armistice Day. In Japan though, November 11 is Origami Day (折り紙の日) aka Paper Folding Day. In Japan, this is the day when the paper crane became recognized as a symbol of peace. However for folders around the world, this is also the conclusion of a two and a half week of celebration for an international community of origami folders. (More information here.)
As an origami folder, and a fan of Japanese culture.. I really enjoy the craft of paper folding. You definitely need lots of patience and precision to fold nicely. But it is a craft I want to hone in. You can fold or crease and in a procession of steps the paper comes alive.
Paper folders are not necessarily Japanese anime or manga fans. However there have been innovative folds with creating likenesses to various anime characters.At Origami USA convention earlier this year, I saw a Rei Aynami, a Rurouni Kenshin, and Totoro. There are other character likeness examples such as Vash Stampede, Sephiroth, Chocobo, or Iron Man.
Outside of Read or Die series or Spirited Away, there’s not a lot of anime that talk about origami, however there is a manga title from Kodansha that I spoke about as a license request a while back, so my hope for more origami relevant titles is still up in the air.
So yes 11.11.11 is going to be an interesting one for me indeed. For part of the day, I shall be off with my OMG onward to OWS for WOD. Can you get the acronym? We’ll be randomly handing out origami butterflies. ^_^ What would you do today?
Didn’t know Nov. 11 was origami day. I see, WWI armistice brought peace, crane symbolizes peace. I remember folding cranes as a school project for Sadako of Hiroshima.
November has another celebration, Labor Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23rd in Japan, which is alternatively Rice Thanksgiving Day celebrated at Imperial palace.
Is OWS occupy wall street? WOD?
Yep.. well the cause of World Origami Day is to celebrate, teach and fold paper. I heard a couple of Sadako story (legend) variations today. I definitely heard about Rice Thanksgiving Day. Rice is quite an important commodity for Asian communities. ^_^
Yep OWS is Occupy Wall Street and WOD of course is World Origami Day.. my friend/group organizer has a field day creating origami relevant acronyms.. so my Origami Meetup Group is of course OMG. I am heading to a FAQ (Folding Addicts in Queens) meetup tomorrow with probably a BFF (Brooklyn Folding Friends) meetup in the future…