Join origami master, Henry Kaku, to learn about the art of origami. Highlighting the traditional crane, he will teach participants how to fold a simple origami bird. It is recommended that parents of younger children attend to assist with the folding. Participants should bring origami paper if possible. Otherwise, everyone needs a piece of 6x6 inch paper with one side colored.

Henry Kaku is a long-time Petaluma resident, a head instructor at DeLeon Judo Club, and a beloved substitute teacher in the public schools. He began making origami over 65 years ago as a young boy living in Japan. He was fascinated by “older men” doing origami and would approach them to learn. Now he teaches origami as often as he can in schools, community events, online workshops, and in private classes. Folding a thousand cranes is an activity which became a symbol of peace after people learned about the story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who fell ill with leukemia after being exposed to radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Sadako tried to fold a thousand cranes, an old Japanese tradition for good luck, in hopes that she would live and no other children would suffer from war. Henry carries on this tradition, folding cranes for Hiroshima remembrances, for programs to help the homeless, and for peace in general. Henry is active in the Japanese American Citizens League and speaks often about the experience of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Best for Ages 7+