Origami Kimono at The Paper Tree
While in San Francisco's Japantown recently, my husband came across The Paper Tree, a shop that sells origami paper and art supplies. Knowing this find would be right up my alley, he snapped a picture of a beautiful origami kimono jacket that was on display in the store's window. Made by Linda Tomoko Mihara, it's constructed from just one sheet of folded paper!
Linda is a member of the family that owns the store. Her grandfather, Tokinobu Mihara, published two of the first English-language origami books in America in the 1950s. Linda has been practicing origami since age 5 and is known for dollar bill folds and a connected cranes technique. She designed this intricate Peace Sphere, a globe of eighteen cranes folded from a single sheet of paper.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAODvi-56x4QoIK9Ylirni7CIlAMDCQGj8VMTHwX1erIG7BzmgGOBW0MnYmpKo-vUWozqR4s8fsGZe5vMncD6io6Y5yva7Tmtj4eZadInDQezvJoItMRmXl0dZr8vDqeTtMLIggNMG3w/s400-rw/Peace+Sphere.jpg)
Linda's Sembazuru designs are also remarkable. These are framed mosaics composed of 1,000 paper cranes arranged in a family crest or unique design.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij23hNXGCEDAwiRjKSGil5b7bvyjpTHVXGc2gjlsBeknXpw-ZUdbYB79pJOZYgSSKD-qTVKBhGoRdDlMWirdFTVo8M-m42Hlsw8pdfpWWkQGbSQiGqyosl66thxBrd-QQtHpWEf63OeDA/s400-rw/ying+and+yang+cranes.jpg)
It's believed that if you have a special wish, folding one thousand cranes will grant the wish by the time the task is completed; cranes are symbols for luck and longevity. In ancient Japan, it was customary for a bride-to-be to make a thousand cranes to ensure a long and prosperous marriage.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrVz21k86rrpXHaOf-7UhDBoVm6Qo8BU-Yiv1A-UVPcXzWaPABD8bQIFeAw8-zpRpBwz5xKt7SsZ1o31mADfjMcBR4h0HNC1PPGyQbGceiWnFAHe1wki1FyvqdWMj-b4AEKQm4BLPKLI/s400-rw/Cranes+and+Double+Happiness.jpg)
Another talented member of Linda's family is her sister, Vicky Mihara Avery. Vicky has written a book for children, Origami Fun for Kids! and also a DVD, Origami Fun for Kids, Too! She's an award-winning gift wrapping expert and has a DVD titled, The Japanese Art of Gift Wrapping.
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