Tokolo Asao [CONNECT] – Orizuru Origami Worksheet
トコロアサオ [CONNECT] オリヅルワークシート
Experience the geometric patterns of Tokolo Asao in three dimensions by folding an orizuru or origami crane using special printable templates created by the artist and designer himself for Japan House London.
Orizuru (lit. ‘folded crane’) is one of the best-known designs of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. It represents an auspicious bird: the Japanese red-crowned crane, 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 peace or recovery from disease.
Try making your own orizuru to wish for peace and hope for the future with one of Tokolo Asao’s patterned templates. Two versions are available for download: one uses Tokolo’s signature colour ai (Japanese indigo), and the other is a blank template which can be coloured in before folding.
To make an orizuru, print the worksheet and cut out the patterned square. Step-by-step instructions on how to fold an orizuru can be found here.
Please share pictures of your folded orizuru on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using #japanhouselondon and tag us using @japanhouseldn.
This worksheet coincides with the exhibition Tokolo Asao [CONNECT] Individual and Group which is on display at Japan House London until 15 November 2021.
The worksheets were originally developed for a series of Tokolo Asao [Connect] Orizuru Origami Workshops held at Japan House London on 18 and 19 September 2021. A display of 100 orizuru folded at these workshops can be seen on the Ground Floor of Japan House London until 15 November 2021.