In light of the recent anti-Asian incidents that have occurred across the nation, Linda Mihara created the “Hearts for Love” campaign to spread positivity. Aiming to fold 1,000 origami hearts, the origami expert was inspired by the Japanese legend that says the gods will grant a wish to the person who folds 1,000 origami cranes. […]
Vicky Mihara Avery, origami artist and business owner, passes
June 6, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Noted origami artist Vicky Mihara Avery passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer early in the morning May 27, 2019. She was 62. She is survived by her parents Nobuo and Shizuko Mihara, younger siblings Linda and Roger Mihara, husband Matthew Avery, son Christopher James Avery and their two dogs. Mihara Avery, a lifelong San […]
Making friends through paper art
January 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
ORIGAMI PEACE CRANES: FRIENDSHIPS TAKE FLIGHT Written and illustrated by Sue DiCicco (North Clarendon, Vt.: Tuttle Publishing, 2017, 32 pp., 12 sheets of origami, $12.95, hardcover) This is an upbeat children’s book about making friends. When young Emma enrolls in a new school, she struggles with lack of self-confidence. Her classmates reach out to her, […]
INVITING PEOPLE INTO THE FOLD: Sisters advance the art of origami
April 1, 2016 by 1 Comment
Raised around the art of origami, Linda Mihara and Vicky Mihara Avery have unfolded the public’s fascination with making art from a single sheet of paper. Recognized as paperfolders, the Mihara sisters have helped establish the art of origami both nationally and internationally. Most recently, Linda Mihara co-curated “Origami Living World” at the National History […]
S.F. jazz club transforms into one-day Japanese cultural center
October 13, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Yoshi’s Jazz Club and Japanese Restaurant opened its doors to the public on Oct. 1 to feature its fourth annual “The Flip Side of Yoshi’s,” a day of Japanese art and culture. Nearly 250 people packed the venue, located just outside of San Francisco’s Japantown, to experience the art and spirit of Japanese culture. The […]
ORIGAMI, THE ART: Supporting the community and embracing a wider audience
April 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Since the first Festival, the Mihara family — owners of Paper Tree, a paper specialty store — have offered free origami instruction as part of the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival. The Mihara sisters, Linda and Vicky, have fond memories of teaching children to fold paper at the Festival — starting when they were kids […]
Animals Out of Paper: Origami Play
February 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment
In “Animals Out of Paper,” a three-man play now showing at the SF Playhouse (533 Sutter St., San Francisco), origami is front, center and all over the stage. Paper hippos, horses, cacti and complex geometric shapes are hanging from the ceiling, propped up on tables and lining the kitchen shelves. Origami is framed like art […]
Folding the origami crane
It is belie(ved) that if you fold 1,000 origami cranes one’s wish will come true. It takes hours to fold that many and string them on a streamer. The crane is also considered to live 1,000 years. It symbolizes good fortune, longevity and peace, and represents hope and healing … during such challenges, especially the […]