What does Master Tomoko Fuse Say?

5/17/2013

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Picture
When I first began this journey, it was an adventure into a culture I had only read about in books - folktales and history were all I had to go on.  Origami made Japan come alive in ways that even visiting the Morikami museum hadn't.  If anything, the museum gave me a context to understanding, but origami have me an intellectual appreciation for the culture - its patience, dedication and beauty.

So, what the Master said mattered to me.  However, very little was written about her and at that time (1990), the Internet wasn't being used to gather information like you would read an encyclopedia.  All I really had to go on was her books. So let me give you the quote and biography that captured my heart:

"If you share the joy of origami with your friends, pack these boxes with some little gift and the circle of origami lovers with their happy smiles will spread like the ripples on water." 

"Tomoko Fuse is the author of Origami books.  She studied the art of ofigami from Master Toyoaki Kawai in 1970.  Since then, she has been creating new origiami works."

-- "Origami Boxes," Chikuma Shobo Publishing, 1989
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What to If We are Out of Stock?

5/14/2013

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note, card, origami, enlightenment, tea, pot, teapot, golden
Use our contact form to reserve your cards today!

Hand-crafted means that we do each card by hand.  

Think about that statement.

Reserving your order not only lets us know of your desire, it also helps us schedule our orders and our family time.  Remember, we are a family owned and operated business - mothers, sons, daughters, husbands, brothers, sisters, cousins, all come together to make these cards.

You honor us with your request and we honor you with our happy focus!
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Tangibility, Puzzling & Surprise in Action...

5/7/2013

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origami, kirigami, enlightenment, mini, dvd, video, 50's, disk
So, where do tangibility, puzzle work and surprise come into action? 

In these Three Simple Truths - that anything worth having is: 

1) something that can be held, 

2) something that can be achieve, and 

3) something that makes people happy while all five senses come alive.

People who receive Enlightenment note cards immediately know they have something unique and through touch and intuition, they know something is hidden in the back pocket.  How surprised they are is completely up to you.  

For co-workers, you could give a small gift book, pressed flowers, tea, chocolate, a mini-CD of music, a mini-DVD of any happy event attended, or gift cards to a favorite coffee shop.  

For business partners and patrons, you could even highlight past fund-raisers or benchmark achievements; upscale the gifts to quality compasses and kaleidoscope disks or small digital photo-frames.  

The list of possible gifts is truly endless, especially when you make them more personal…For us at Elegant E!, we simply know that one more ripple has occurred in the emanation of goodwill...
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My Love Affair with Origami

4/14/2013

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Enlightenment note card Reflection of the Clouds...Reflection of the Clouds...
When I began my love affair with folding paper, there was a simple "sigh" of relief. Ultimately, there were many reasons behind the decision to make it into a business, but those are only the rational side of my brain speaking.  My immediate response was simply one of love, intrigue and profound peace - hours passed in happy bliss.

Some things simply can't be explained very well.  For example: to me, the feel of each piece of paper is exquisite.  Some are soft like butter between my thumb and forefinger. Others are textured and rub against each ridge in my fingerprint - and I can feel it - like a harpist playing her strings.  Another difficult explanation is simply the pursuit of a challenge, such that only a perfectionist can adore:  to fold perfectly, to hit a groove of timing and the ultimate joy of obtaining the exact look I want.  

Why does it matter?  Because the truth is I love surprises and giving gifts!  Ultimately, ever origami note card I make becomes an emanation of love, hope, faith, meditation and an expression of a dream.  Lolol  Such are the lovingly passionate reasons of a practitioner.

What about the rational side?  There are many reasons.  I'm a calmer person when I meditate for 4 hours a day and I love the sense of accomplishment.  

However, the first time I ever thought of doing something with my hands was a day when I was 16.  The movie Gandhi came out and in the movie the historical figure explains the importance of mankind doing something with our hands.  And in truth, GandhiG was often photographed while spinning fabric.  While Gandhi did this as a statement for boycotting the British Imperial rule in India, there was a spiritual quality behind it that I immediately understood and which resounded in my soul.  

If you would like to know more, there is a link below which discusses Gandhi's use of "doing something with his hands," the movie itself and the message of non-violence. At this exact moment, I'm not promoting the satyagara philosophy.  I am simply explaining how the Art of Origami found a place in my life.  In many ways, you could say - I was looking for it...

...and it found me.

 http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1998/3/98.03.05.x.html
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From Small Beginnings Come Great Things...

4/7/2013

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Master Tomoko Fuse Origami Boxes
My brother helped me construct my first very first Origami box. We both only had two sheets of paper to fold, but it took us a while to understand the instructions.  By the time we were done, an hour had passed.  My brother never wanted to see origami again, and with my encouragement, promptly crushed with his fist!  

But I had fallen in love and was hooked for life. 

I owe it all to the Morikami Museum & Japanese Friendship Garden, in Florida.  They carried the first English origami instruction book I had ever seen. Master Tomoko Fuse had made a wonderfully approachable book.  It simply took a little dedication. I am forever grateful.  
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