Giveaways!

Folded by Joe Hamamoto

The swan-shaped receptacles were folded by me years ago- found in the 2002 May issue #321 of NOA.  Designed by Mr. Kazukuni ENDO. 

Marti's 1st Sunday without Marti

Marti was once again traveling the world; so Margot hosted the meeting at Marti's house.

Among some of the things taught:

Talo Kawasaki's patty bat
David Donahue's penguin
Skating penguin by Taichiro Hasegawa
Ron Fujioka taught Joseph Wu's $ Utopia Bacon


I surrendered my Origami Starry Revolution book over to Joe, to work on.  I love the Ray Star Torus model, but not sure if I have the patience to get through the project.

Photos

Marti's 1st Sunday Yesterday

Easter models seemed to be the theme.

The Hassle of Handmaking Tassels with Joe Hamamoto

It takes me about 45 minutes on the 405, in comfortable traffic, to get to Marti's or Carol's; and also about that long to get to WCOG, for that matter (long, busy side streets after getting off the 10 freeway). 

Often when I go to the origami gatherings using the 405, I will swing by Marukai in Garden Grove for some tasty fried rice I like there.  Only a couple of blocks away is where Joe Hamamoto lives.

Many years ago, Joe and Gay Merrill Gross struck up a correspondence through email.  She is the one who put Joe and Yami Yamauchi in touch with one another (Yami also lives in Gardena).  And thus was born the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Joe loaded me up with a lot of origami modular giveaways when I went to PCOC back in October.  One of the persons he wanted me to give something to was Gay.  She did not attend; but I had Tricia Tait mule one of Joe's pieces to her.

A month ago, Gay emailed me to let me know she received the gift and to thank Joe.  One thing that caught her attention that had escaped mine was the quality of the tassel attached to her origami gift.  She asked if Joe makes his own tassels.  I said he probably gets them in Little Tokyo (even though he seldom travels much, due to his age).  It turns out I was wrong.

Joe does indeed make his own tassels, employing what he calls a "fisherman's knot", which he learned from his father.  I'm not an expert or connoisseur in tassel-making; but told Gay I would film Joe's method for her.  So Sunday, after the meeting at Marti's, I swung by to pick up my spam fried rice dinner, and gave Joe a visit:

A Gift for a Gift

November 10, 2013

Finally had a chance to give Joe a gift from Michael LaFosse.  Folded by LaFosse, the paper was made by Richard Alexander.

Joe had loaded me up with a bunch of modular giveaways that he had folded (from envelopes) and which I took with me to PCOC. 

PCOC Paperfolding Fiesta

This is a post about the recent Pacific Coast Origami Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  So why then is the lead photo of a hotel urinal?

You're one mouse click away from the answer....

1st Sunday at Marti's- August 4, 2013

Marti was out of country; but her 1st Sunday of the month meeting was still hosted at her house.

Joe Hamamoto decided to show his face (since Beverly's 1st Thursday meeting was cancelled- a closer commute for him). 

Yami was graced by the presence of his daughter, in town for a visit.

Another good turnout of friends, family, food, and folding fun.

Photo and folded Sok models by Allison Reisel

Photos here

(The Return of) The Ultimate Double-Barreled Paper Banger!

This is a repost- but I doubt most of you have yet seen this video (it's been "off the air" for the last couple of years when a primary YouTube account was deleted).  Joe Hamamoto demonstrates the ultimate paper snapper.  Pay close attention- and remember:  If you're going to fold one yourself, make sure you do so under licensed, adult supervision- this is serious, dangerous stuff:

Hangin' with Joe

Joe Hamamoto insists that he's retired (from doing origami events).  Even short trips can tire him out.  Yet he remains a prolific folder.  A one-man factory at producing giveaway models- many of which include models that take 3 hours + to fold.  And he is always giving away his work.

Life is Beautiful When You Know Yami

Yukie and Helen hold up a picture of their dream boyfriend

My 1st First Thursday!

Happy D-....er.....B-Day Beverly!

Every first Thursday of the month, there is origami in Torrance, hosted by Beverly Baudino.  I finally made my first meeting.

Celebrating Beverly's birthday...apparently there were too many candles on the cake. 

Beverly taught us this nice box in a box, designed by Akiko YAMANASHI:

Heather's video instruction here.

I tried really, really hard to distract Joe:






My thanks to Pam Miike for filming and figuring out how to toggle the button on my Casio high speed Exilim Ex-Fc150 for the slow-motion recording.

A disciplined folder....

More photos here.

All for one and one for all!

Two Videos of Joe Hamamoto Restored

My longtime, primary YouTube account had been disabled several years ago due to copyright infringement 3 strikes issue (Arrrgh!).  I think it had to do with use of music.

I uploaded and restored into two old posts, videos of Joe Hamamoto.  One of the original vids was actually uploaded to Google video, since at the time, YouTube had a 10 minute rule on all their videos.  Google video has since gone the way of the dinosaur.

Anyway, the two posts with videos if you haven't seen them before are:
Joe Hamamoto:  Retired, but working harder than ever

Joe Demonstrates 3 Kasahara Models

Joe doesn't do many festivals these days; nor does he travel very far from home.  It takes too much out of him.  So he doesn't make many origami meetings and I only see him when I go visit him at his home. 

I will see him and Yami this Thursday though, as another WCOG member also hosts meetings every 1st Thursday of the month at her home.




If any of you are clicking through the archives and come across videos that don't work anymore and you are interested in them, just drop me a note in the post and I'll try to track the video down in my files and re-upload.

Thanks.

WCOG May 11, 2013

I uploaded some photos here.

I have not been to any meetings since, I think January.

Bennett Arnstein has been on the mends since February, after suffering a fall.  

Turnout was up from what I last remember it being, with a few new faces showing up.

Earlier in the week I visited Joe Hamamoto. He recycles everything; and is known for folding beautiful modulars, using the security printing from the inside of envelopes:

Celebrating 50 Year Legacy of Aerospace Corporation

June 5, 2010
Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo CA

I missed out on teaching gymnastics today to help Joe with his event, celebrating The Aerospace Corporation's 50 years of leadership in space programs. It might be the last opportunity to work with Joe since he says he's no longer doing these kind of things.

...So I had to get a picture of the three of us, "ruling the world" by supporting the earth and all its inhabitants with the fun of paperfolding.

Indoors, not a problem making the glider come back to me; but outdoors, it's pretty challenging, given the mercurial, fickle nature of wind patterns.

More pictures here.

Joe's Double-barreled Newspaper Banger Yields Some Surprising Results

Joe's Twist Box Toy

The first time I saw this was about a year ago. Joe Hamamoto said he got the basket-weaving slinky part from his granddaughter. I don't know if anyone in particular designed it. It's too simple, that I doubt it can be traced to any one person. However, it was Joe's idea to do this out of giftwrapping paper and glue the ends to the insides of a masu box. This is the results.

Japanese Gardens, Van Nuys

Yami, Joe, and I were invited once again to the Van Nuys Japanese Gardens for another Origami Festival; this time arranged by Sylvia Wong (Michael Fritzen, our old contact, has since departed).

Here are a couple of video clips of Yami and Joe in action toward the end of the festival:





Photos here.

Joe Charms the Women with a Change of Heart

I can't tell you how often Joe charms the ladies with this model.


Steve Hecht has diagrams for anyone interested in folding one.

Joe Demonstrates the Flying "Catch" Fish

Unbelievable how Joe can take something so simple as to not raise my eyebrow, and turn it into a thing of magic that delights kids; adults find their hearts melt back to the wonders of childhood, as well.

This video shows you how to make the cuts for the tail (calls it a paper blimp).

Cherry Blossom Festival in Little Tokyo (Part II): Joe Hamamoto's Favorite Model

Joe is king when it comes to folding the David Brill doublestar flexicube. Here, he shows off one he folded out of a calendar.