Origata no Kokoroe 折形のこころえ

Origata is a Japanese etiquette that wraps gifts in Japanese paper.

In Japan, for marriages and funerals, the money to be sent to the other party is wrapped in beautiful Japanese paper and tied with a shining paper thread. In addition, we may wrap chopsticks so that the tips do not get dirty, or wrap tubular gifts such as sake with Japanese paper. In Japan, this kind of wrapping method is called “origata”.

However, in modern times, few people do it. The public buys cheaply sold bags. It is a simple glued item such as a “gift bag” or a “chopstick bag”. That’s why few Japanese people fold and wrap a piece of paper. Also, the habit of folding paper over time is lost.

Akihiro Yamane, a scholar of courtesy, restored and systematized various “origata” that remain in the literature. Currently, his son, Kazuki Yamane, is conducting dissemination activities based in the Yamane Origata Religious Class in Tokyo. My class is based on Mr. Yamane’s literature. I also had the opportunity to be taught by Mr. Yamane. It was an opportunity for students to know the depth of paper that is familiar to them. I am very grateful to him.

In class, we will appreciate expressions that convey the feelings of the other person by wrapping them. Students choose colored Japanese paper and make “Hashi dzutsumi (chopstick wraps)”. They tell us what they noticed about the Japanese aesthetics.

　※Kaishiki ：Japanese paper on which Japanese sweets are placed

“Beautiful shape of Japan” written by students

Harmony between “accuracy” and “deviation”.

Sharp and gentle corners and straight lines.

Make others look attractive.