Happy Holidays!
For Christmas this year, I designed a special display for the lobby of the Cursed Library. I wanted to take a moment on this special night to share a photo of it with all my friends near and far.
Behold the "Tree of Cranes" Christmas Tree!
There are over 200 cranes on the tree made from Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Paper specially printed in Japan with traditional patterns highlighted in bright metallic gold ink.
Below is a closeup picture of a few of the cranes:
I crafted each and every one of these traditional origami figures; 22 separate folds are involved in each crane. It took me about four or five months to complete. Marie, one of my staff, strung all the cranes on gold thread. Anne and Stephanie, two of my other clerks, decorated the tree with the cranes and garland.
I took the idea for this display from a children’s book by Allen Say entitled Tree of Cranes. It is about a boy’s first Christmas in Japan. (This is the book displayed on the stand next to the tree in the first photo. We placed it on the special stand and invited people to read the book so they would understand the significance of the tree.)
We've had a great response from the public to our display. My staff have told me that we have gotten so many compliments on it. I’m happy to say that everyone-even the children-have been very respectful of the tree and no one has crushed any of the birds.
To the Japanese, cranes symbolize long life, prosperity, and a hope for peace. I wish all of you these gifts now at this Holiday Season and throughout the coming New Year.
Behold the "Tree of Cranes" Christmas Tree!
There are over 200 cranes on the tree made from Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Paper specially printed in Japan with traditional patterns highlighted in bright metallic gold ink.
Below is a closeup picture of a few of the cranes:
I crafted each and every one of these traditional origami figures; 22 separate folds are involved in each crane. It took me about four or five months to complete. Marie, one of my staff, strung all the cranes on gold thread. Anne and Stephanie, two of my other clerks, decorated the tree with the cranes and garland.
I took the idea for this display from a children’s book by Allen Say entitled Tree of Cranes. It is about a boy’s first Christmas in Japan. (This is the book displayed on the stand next to the tree in the first photo. We placed it on the special stand and invited people to read the book so they would understand the significance of the tree.)
We've had a great response from the public to our display. My staff have told me that we have gotten so many compliments on it. I’m happy to say that everyone-even the children-have been very respectful of the tree and no one has crushed any of the birds.
To the Japanese, cranes symbolize long life, prosperity, and a hope for peace. I wish all of you these gifts now at this Holiday Season and throughout the coming New Year.