The Japanese folk art movement, or mingei, was originally developed in 1920s and mainly led by a Japanese philosopher Soetsu Yanagi (1889-1961).

It was only half a century since Japan opened up the county, and like other Japanese people at that era, he and his friends appreciated Western art very much. They firstly tried to collect Western art pieces and to open a museum to exhibit them. However, after Great Kanto Earthquake hit Tokyo in 1923, he moved to Kyoto, and while he travelled around Japan and Korea, he discovered true beauty in everyday items, such as ceramics, textile and woodwork, created by unknown local craftsmen.

He was fascinated with folk art and started collecting such items. Together with potter Kanjiro Kawai, Shoji

In Japan, origami is something for pleasure and also something praying for. Origami became popular in Edo period and it was incorporating in kindergarten education in the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912). It is now taught in a handicraft and drawing class at elementary school. Generally, it is very common for mothers to teach children how to make cranes and other various figures by origami at home. Origami is a very well known leisure activity and always loved by Japanese people.

Origami, especially crane shaped origami has a special meaning. “Senbazuru” is a string of thousand folded paper cranes. It is usually sent to a patient as a prayer for recovery from illness. The crane is one of the symbols of

In 2014, 3 types of Japanese Washi papers, Sekishubanshi (石州半紙), Honminoshi (本美濃紙) and Hosokawashi (細川紙) were registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Washi is Japanese traditional handmade paper which is designated as one of the intangible cultural assets. Washi has a long history in Japan. The Shosoin (National Treasure House) in Nara has a 1200-year-old book in which every page is cut from a different washi. As washi is generally long-lasting and strong, it is used for official documents, important papers and money. In Edo period (1603-1868), production volume of washi paper has been increased and origami for entertainment became more familiar to adults first of all and then children.

(Yoko)

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