Origami Kuyo no Hi (Origami Memorial Day)

What Is Origami Kuyo no Hi?

October 5th is "Origami Kuyo no Hi" (Origami Memorial/Appreciation Day). It was proposed by the origami artist Toyoaki Kawai (1932–2007) as a day to thank the origami paper and creations we have enjoyed, and to take a fresh look at origami culture. April 8th is also "Origami Kuyo no Hi," so the day is observed twice a year.

Why October 5th Is "Origami Kuyo no Hi"

The dates come from two Buddhist occasions: October 5th is "Daruma-ki," the traditional memorial day of Bodhidharma (Daruma), the founder of Zen Buddhism, and April 8th is "Hana Matsuri," the festival celebrating the birth of the Buddha. Days connected to Buddhism were chosen to suit the word "kuyo" (a memorial ritual).

• Proposed by: Origami artist Toyoaki Kawai.
• October 5th: Daruma-ki, the memorial day of Bodhidharma.
• April 8th: Hana Matsuri, the celebration of the Buddha's birth.

Who Was Toyoaki Kawai?

Toyoaki Kawai was an origami artist born in Tokyo. He led the "Toyoaki Kawai Creative Origami Study Group" and taught creative origami in many parts of Japan.

• Style: Realistic creative origami; his folded masks such as "Okina" (old man) and "Hannya" (demon) are among his best-known works.
• Bestsellers: His books "Origami" and "Origami Nyumon" in Hoikusha's Color Books series are said to have sold more than 300,000 copies.
• Influence: He influenced origami artist Tomoko Fuse and entertainer Takashi Matsuo, known for his "origami faces."

What Is "Origami Kuyo"?

"Origami kuyo" means thanking the origami paper and creations that brought us joy, and putting them away or disposing of them with care. It shares the spirit of Japanese customs such as "hari kuyo" (for sewing needles) and "ningyo kuyo" (for dolls), in which people thank the things they have used.

• A Spirit of Gratitude: Saying "thank you" to paper and finished works.
• A Chance to Tidy Up: Sorting through piles of origami paper and creations.
• Caring for Paper: Reusing paper that can still be used, and not wasting it.

Origami Trivia

• Origins: Origami's exact origins are unknown, but a folded paper crane appears on a small knife handle (kozuka) made by the metalworker Goto Eijo, who was active from the late 16th to the early 17th century, showing that origami existed by then.
• "ORIGAMI": Paper folding also developed independently in Europe and elsewhere, but today the Japanese word "origami" is used around the world.
• Used in Space: Folding techniques have been applied to space technology, such as the solar panels of satellites.
• Classic Models: The crane, balloon, paper airplane, shuriken, samurai helmet, and "yakko-san" are traditional folds passed down for generations.

Ideas for Enjoying Origami Kuyo no Hi

• Sort through old origami paper and creations and put them away with gratitude.
• Fold a crane or shuriken you haven't made since childhood.
• Borrow an origami book from the library and try a new model.
• Enjoy origami together with children or family.

A Day to Thank a Single Sheet of Paper

October 5th, Origami Kuyo no Hi, is a day to give thanks for the time we spent folding and the creations we made, and to reflect on the value of treating things with care. Take a moment to enjoy the simple pleasure of creating a shape from a single sheet of paper.