Tokolo Asao [CONNECT] – Orizuru Origami Workshop

Experience the geometric patterns of Tokolo Asao in three dimensions in a series of workshops in which participants learn how to fold orizuru or origami cranes using Tokolo Pattern Origami paper.

Orizuru (lit. ‘folded crane’) is one of the best-known designs of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. It represents a Japanese red-crowned crane, an auspicious bird in Japan, which, as legend has it, lives for a thousand years. Many orizuru (usually a thousand) strung together are called senbazuru (lit. ‘thousand cranes’). Senbazuru are often made in Japan to wish for recovery from disease and peace.

2021 marks 20 years since the terrible loss of life on 11 September 2001, which inspired Tokolo Asao to start making patterns with the theme of tsunageru, ‘to connect’. Tokolo would like to remember these tragic events by creating a collection of 100 origami cranes with people in London to wish for peace and hope for the future.

Cranes created during the four workshops will be connected together and displayed at Japan House London throughout September.

Each workshop is led by artist and designer Kawahara Akane and includes a special video message from Japan from Tokolo Asao.

This workshop coincides with the exhibition Tokolo Asao [CONNECT] Individual and Group which is on display at Japan House London until 7 November 2021. The exhibition features examples of Tokolo’s work from the past 20 years, all with the characteristic of ‘connection’.

Tokolo Pattern Origami paper, printed with Tokolo Asao’s distinctive geometric patterns, is also available for purchase in The Shop at Japan House London.

For information on our continuing safety measures to protect guests and staff, please see our COVID-19 information page.

Booking tickets

Please choose a date below and click on the button to book your free ticket.

Saturday 18 September, 13:00, 15:00	Book tickets
Sunday 19 September, 13:00, 15:00	Book tickets

 

About the Workshop Instructor

Kawahara Akane is an artist and designer based in Tokyo and London who has worked with Tokolo Asao for over a decade.  Influenced by Tokolo's cross-disciplinary practices, her work is based on interdisciplinary research, and she is currently working on research about future bodies and sensory perception.