A Coy Koi

Carp

Designed by Robert Lang

Folded by Michael Sanders

At Westcoast Origami Guild

6” x 6” square of Japanese foil paper

Found this last week while cleaning. I folded this at WCOG when Ben Muller taught it (2005?  2006?). I’m thinking he learned it from Dr. Lang (so whatever year that may have been in which Robert taught it) and committed it to memory (this was before diagrams came out and before “Origami Design Secrets” was published).

One day, I would like to fold one and incorporate the scales. On the bucket list...

Hana-Ichimonme in Little Tokyo

These origami models appear in the cashier window display at Hana-Ichimonme, which is found on the third floor of the Little Tokyo Galleria.  I've known about these models for many years now; and I think I contributed a Komatsu rabbit (shown in the next photo) over a decade ago (visiting specifically to see the models and not to eat there).

Terry Hall used to head the WCOG.  He and another folder who I never had the pleasure to meet, Po-Tei, frequented this restaurant.  I think a number of these models were folded by them.  Po-Tei, in particular, is an exquisite folder of Montroll models.  I have never seen a more precise and well-shaped husky as the ones folded by Po-Tei and left at Yamaguchi's on Sawtelle and Olympic in Santa Monica (pop & grand pop store was closed down a number of years ago); and also at Rafu Bussan.

A reviewer:

Where do I even begin this review.  I have been going to Hana ichimonme for at least 25 years.  I have so many fond memories of going here and ordering the yakisoba that came on a little snail plate, and finishing off the meal with a shaved ice with condensed milk... I used to love staring at the plastic food displays in the window and then the origami by the cash register while my dad would pay for the bill.
I am so happy that hana ichimonme is still around.  Today my menu item of choice has changed a bit.  I now love getting the sansai ramen.  I really love the mountain vegetables, and this is one of the only places that I prefer getting the shoyu based ramen broth.  It's interesting to see how little has changed about this restaurant, but I really hope it doesn't.  It is one of the only things that has lasted throughout the years in the plaza, and for good reason.

Read Juliana T.'s review of Hana Ichimonme on Yelp

WCOG's John Andrisan Passes

2-1-2015 From L to R:  John Andrisan, Jim Cowling, Ron Fujioka

Yami and I have been communicating back-and-forth about various things (Larry Davis, for one, will be in Southern California for a visit).  I had talked to Yami this morning; then in the afternoon, picked up another voicemail from him, saying something about "Jan Anderson" dying.  I had no idea what he was talking about or who Jan was.  Yami's thick accent muddled the name:  John Andrisan.  I figured out later, when I started getting wind of John's passing through various people and sources, as word began to spread throughout the day.

John's been a mainstay, the bedrock of the Westcoast Origami Guild; a pillar of the larger origami community in Southern California.  He's always been around, since I've been involved.  It's difficult to believe that February 1st at Marti's is the last time I will ever see him.

I'd like to share what Chila wrote to the O-List, regarding John:

Math'scool

December 9, 2006

I was taken advantage of, doing this without pay (too naive and unconcerned about what they were doing).  I don't know if they ever actually used this footage; but at least they sent me a copy of this embarrassing, cringe-inducing promo video, aimed at getting kids excited about geometry:

I have a promo video on VHS from my stint with Sony Pictures Imageworks booth at Siggraph in 2007.  Maybe one day I'll transfer that one over.

WCOG March

Another light turnout at WCOG (it's been this way for quite some time, now).  But what made it special was a rare appearance by Chila, who lives an uncomfortable distance away (I remember in the "old days", we used to occasionally get some folders like V'ann Cornelius come out, all the way from San Diego).

Jim Cowling's on-the-spot handiwork

I purchased the pdf for the Shumakov's Magic Star the other day and finally had a chance to sit down and start trying one.  (I did not finish).

A few more photos here.

Andrew Ting's Chinese New Year Origami Party

This was yesterday.  I didn't attend last year's. 

 We couldn't all fit into one room; so I missed out on half of what was going on.  I guess at one point they were doing magic tricks in the other room- so much roars of laughter coming from the other side, that we in the other room got jealous and started fake laughing hysterically, so as to make the other group feel like they were missing out on something special (they were).

I thought I had brought my magic flip book ($3.95 on eBay) and was bummed out when I could not find it in the car; so I showed it on my laptop. 

I don't know if the idea is copyright protected/patented, but I'd love to see an origami version of this- maybe a hand reaching for a 3 different blank sheets of paper that transforms into different origami pieces.  I'd do it myself if I were an artist with more time on my hands.

 I taught Akiko Yamanashi's Heart Box, as I had 7 more I have to make for kids at the gym.  My level 3s on Saturday were not amused by my humor when I informed them:  "The good news is that I made a dozen origami heart boxes for you guys; the bad news is, on Valentine's yesterday, I gave them away to the excel group.  The good news is, I decided to make more; the bad news is, I hadn't started making them yet."  Anyway, they just had dull stares in their eyes.

Andrew taught Joseph Wu's pig which Boaz Shuval had taught at WCOG many years ago. 


Some of the food:

WCOG Meeting for February

Another light turnout at WCOG.


Bennett Arnstein, Helen Sperber, Jim Cowling, John Andrisan, and yours truly were the stalwarts.

A woman, Susan, dropped in, having looked us up.  She shared a moving story about her deceased high school son and how he had folded a heart for a young girl.  She came in hopes of learning a simple heart that she could teach to school kids, honoring her son.  John taught her one while Jim multitasked folding a heart box which I was teaching; and at the same time drew diagrams for Susan while John taught her the heart model.

Jim Cowling

 Akiko Yamanashi's Heart Box was a great model from several years ago (came out in an issue of NOA- I'm too lazy to dig it up); but neither Jim nor Helen remember ever having folded it before.

Helen with her Heart Box

 We had another newcomer drop in, a young boy named Daniel, along with his father and sister.  He'd been folding for about 2 years on his own.  Jim taught him a killer whale and John taught the LaFosse F-14 Tomcat.  The dad, Javier, sat with Bennett who taught him some models.

Shaping the head on the Montroll horse:


Photos here.

Happy Chinese New Year of the Horse, of Course!

2003?
Creator:  John Montroll
Folder:  Michael Sanders

 The mane thing is, to tell my tail and not horse around this year....

From elephant hide (Wyndstone paper) My all-time favorite daily fold...the Montroll horse is what first inspired me into going more complex. My very first WCOG meeting, Terry Hall (group leader, who has only since been to about 3 meetings in the last 12 years) had folded a beautiful 3-dimensional, elegant Montroll horse for a young girl. I went to Borders and immediately picked up Montroll's Origami Sculptures and a few others. Although the models are intermediate to low-intermediate level models today, I had never realized origami had continued to evolve to this level of folding. It was turning point in my own life, and hooked me onto origami as something a lot more than just a passing fancy and childhood past-time.

January WCOG meeting

Jim Cowling

Light turnout at yesterday's WCOG.  We took down the Christmas tree decorations from the library tree.  Did a simple tetraflexagon.  Jim wanted to go over the Montroll horse; and I had him and Helen film my method of shaping the head and hooves (if John gives me permission to share, I will post the video up).

I also brought up Jesse Barr's golf bag with clubs out of a dollar, and Jim whipped one up in about two minutes, how he perceives the model to be engineered.

Mike Jittlov dropped in.  He showed off his version of a $cottie and a unicorn. 

Photos of Sunday's meeting here.






A short history...

WCOG Meeting for September

Really light turnout today.

I finally had a chance to fold Jeremy Shafer's Super Boomerang and Boomerang airplane.




Pam Miike filmed this (so "blame" her for the timing on the slo-mo button on my Casio high speed Exilim EX-FC 150).  The reason why I'm kneeling is because the boomerang kept hitting the low ceiling.

Shafer makes it look so easy; I was hoping that you could throw it any which way, and they'd still come back to you.  The reality is, like my glider, it takes practice to get a feel for throwing them.


 Tutorials:

WCOG August 10, 2013

Folded by Andrew Ting

More 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:

July WCOG Meeting

 

Photos updated here

WCOG June Meeting

Bennett Arnstein made his first WCOG meeting since his accident.

Yami sporting a gorgeous book of photographs by Kazuyoshi ITO

More photos here.

Folding the Handle of Manpei Arai's Spinning Top

I've noticed that a number of folders seem to have difficulty with folding the handle of Manpei Arai's spinning top correctly.

For those who have trouble with it, hope this helps illuminate:




Incidentally, Sara Adams has revised her old spinning top video with a new one (different variation-closure of the model!)  Hat tip:  Deb Pun!

Also, Charli Blog links to diagrams.

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:

Phyllis Snyder

March 13, 2010, WCOG at Pico Library

I got word through Beverly Baudino that Phyllis Snyder passed away at around 7pm, February 27th:

She was in Torrance Memorial Hospital and suffering from several compilations. Her pneumonia with 3 blood clots in the esophagus made it difficult to swallow and breath. She was a real trooper and tried till the end. Her family was with her.

I learned a lot from Phyllis over the past decade that I've known her and the WCOG.

Around 2001/2002, when Herman Lau's $ flower-in-a-pot was not as commonly known, she was the one WCOG member who had kept notes (when Lau had taught it to members years earlier) and was able to refresh her memory enough to teach it to those of us who were in search of it like the Holy Grail of moneyfolds, at the time. (Later, Herman Lau went out of his way to teach it to me "correctly"- he said everyone was getting the proportions wrong- so I could teach it at OUSA).

Phyllis also introduced me to the angel designed by her friend, Louise Cooper, and derived from the Neil Elias angel.

Phyllis always loved the way I fold Montroll's horse and would repeatedly ask me to fold the head so she could watch and learn how I got it to be 3D.

Over the years, I've worked with her at festivals and kept company at WCOG meetings; and have enjoyed sharing and learning from her. She had a wealth of experience and knowledge and a generous spirit to share it all.

Phyllis will be greatly missed. More to come later.

February 20, 2009 Phyllis with a napkin rose folded and given to her by Won Park

Also blogging:

Origami Mommy's Blog

None of Your Bee's Wax!

Arriving 2 hours late, Thea and I found 2 fire trucks outside the library and our origami friends milling about. Apparently the building was evacuated on account of a bee invasion.

So much for origami this month.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photos here.

WCOG December Meeting