I can’t remember when my fascination for certain things Japanese started. It could have started when I was very little and I’d see my Mama tending to her bonsai plants. Or it could have been when I was in fifth grade and discovered a really cool series of origami books. I couldn’t stop folding paper during the years that followed. I used origami — usually folded paper flowers, butterflies and cranes — to accessorize everything, including my school projects. I wish I kept those books until now, so I could pass them on to Athalia. However, they weren’t hardbound and they were quite destined to get lost as I grew up and became interested in many other things.
My first origami books. Nowhere to be found now.
From time to time, though, I go back to origami for certain artistic needs and when my hands get too idle. We got another book that featured more complicated models or figures, like spiders and gazelles. But that book belonged to my brother, who loves anything Japanese, too (like manga comic books, anime series, wooden chopsticks, nori, sushi, and, I am guessing, hentai as well).
A few months ago, I discovered an origami book at a local bookshop that was relatively cheap (because craft books these days — especially the really good ones — cost not less than 800 pesos). Seeing that book made me feel so nastalgic and I just needed to have it. I figured Athalia and I can make easy paper models once she’s old enough to fold straight lines and can already be trusted with a pair of scissors. I can’t wait.
I -heart- this book.
It has instructions on how to make paper animals. I’m sure Athalia will have a grand time folding.
And flowers and other decorative items, too. Perfect accents for Christmas gifts!
Needless to say, I have a weakness for origami paper, too. I bought a set of patterned origami sheets way, way before I even found and bought the book (which came with its own set of origami sheets, too). But I never got to use them. Perhaps because I don’t have the heart to fold these beautiful papers.
Origami sheets. Drool.
Lately, however, I discovered a blog whose owner is just as crazy about Japanese art (or maybe much, much crazier than I am). And so I learned how to make these paper geisha dolls! Finally, I found something worthy of my origami sheets, and a perfect excuse to buy more! (My husband hates the fact that I buy so much craft materials and I never ever use them at all! Now, he can take a look at my dolls and see that indulging me when it comes to all the what-nots is not really a bad idea.) If only I know where I can get kimono and washi paper this side of the world, it would be heavenly.
See my geisha dolls? They will be the focal point or centerpiece of my gift wrapping this holiday season. I will make it sooooo hard for you to open your gift! Haha.
And speaking of dolls, I have been in lust with those kokeshi dolls at Collage in Ayala. I have begged, and begged some more, for my husband to buy them for me, but all that begging was useless. Until last week when he got his 13th month pay. And he knows he has no more choice but to give in. The sad thing is that there was only one doll left. All the other 3 dolls — with lovelier kimonos — were gone. I just had to buy the last one before it goes to somebody else’s hands!
Anyway, I have noticed craft bloggers have this thing with matryoshka dolls. What’s with matryoshka dolls? Well, if most of them have a fetish for matryoshka dolls, it’s kokeshi dolls for me. I had to ask Collage if there’d be another batch of kokeshis, and, indeed, new stock will be coming in within the month. *cartwheels*
My pretty little kokeshi doll! I promise you won’t be lonely for long. 
If only I have enough money to travel wherever I want, you’d know where I will go first. Just the thought makes me…uhm… wet. Really.
