Origami Flapping Bird

Here's something fun. Giulia's editor just folded her first origami bird. Ever. Successfully. There are heaps of (free) origami resources on the internetz so here are but a few. A quick search will reap more.

Origami central (unofficially); birds, other animals, flowers, boxes. Really nice.

The video tutorial we tried first. It worked. So here is the origami channel. Next up: a flower to celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival (which is ongoing here in Washington, DC).

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Angélica Vis; more origami photos)

Japan, One Year Later

To dear friends & relatives in Japan, our hearts go out to you on this anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake & tsunami. For an excellent comprehensive update, see The Japan Times Online 3/11 anniversary page.

For a more personal update, read Sapphire's One Year After the Disaster. She has lovely photographs, as always & an introduction to alternative energy sources now that nuclear energy's future in Japan is (finally) under intense examination.

xoxo/GG & her editor

(lovely plum (ume) blossoms by moriyu)

FEED Projects - Japan Bag

This bag would be good to take to farmer's* markets this spring & summer, don't you think? (There's a terrific Feed Japan t-shirt, too.)

From the good folks at FEED Projects:

Each FEED Japan bag sold will give $10 to the FEED Foundation’s FEED Japan Fund. The FEED Japan Fund will aid in the disaster relief efforts by supporting organizations on the ground and will target the programs and organizations that need our help the most. The need for support is great and ever-changing, as Japan continues to recover from this disaster.

This white cotton tote bag, sold exclusively on the FEED website, is made in the USA from 100% organic cotton. The brilliant red symbol proudly reflects the Japanese flag on the back, with the FEED Japan logo displayed on the front. The bag reaches 12" high by 19" wide, and the handles are 12" from the top of the straps to the top of the bag.

Other worthy Japan-related fundraising.

ciao-meow/GG's editor

*GG Central employs apostrophes on "farmer's market". The End.

(images via FEED Projects)

Tiny Cranes for Japan

A little Sunday shopping. To the Japanese, the crane—or tsuru—is a symbol of good fortune and longevity because of its fabled life span of a thousand years. These 50 teeny, tiny paper cranes can be yours by visiting the littlesketchbook shop on Etsy. (Her pretty blog by the same name is here.) There is also a listing for 50 tiny white cranes. 100% of the profit goes to AmeriCares & the artist will email you the transaction. Now, that is a super idea.

ciao-meow/GG

Postcards for Japan

A little Sunday evening post to highlight a set of pretty postcards by Hsin Ping. The set is $4.00 & proceeds are donated to the American Red Cross fund for Japan. (via The Benevolent Postcard Society) See you next week! ciao-meow/GG

Made4Aid Monday - Geisha Paperdoll Bookmarks for Japan

Aren't these lovely? And free shipping - what more could you possibly want? Hmm?

Pretty handmade origami geisha figure created with origami paper and tissue on a distressed finish natural kraft card base, finished off with satin ribbon for an unusual and thoughtful bookmark. This item has been specifically created by AquaAlta as a contribution to relief work for Japanese earthquake victims. Made4aid profits all go to Medécins sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders, who have been working to provide relief and medical aid in Japan since Saturday 12th, the day after the earthquake and tsunami. (photograph courtesy of Made4Aid)

ciao-meow/GG's editor

Stand With Japan Walk, Cherry Blossom Festival 2011

The Cherry Blossom Festival begins this weekend in Washington, DC. Giulia & her editor are hoping to be at the walk & to report back. Please read on if you are here (or will be).

Beginning at 6:30pm on March 24, people will gather at Sylvan Theater (15th Street and Independence Avenue, SW) before walking the Tidal Basin. All donations received throughout the fundraising effort will go directly to the National Cherry Blossom Festival Red Cross Online Donation Site, benefiting the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund.

People are encouraged to gather to reflect and participate in the walk around the Tidal Basin, where the cherry blossom trees, gifted to Washington, DC from Tokyo in 1912, have stood the test of time for 99 years. Our relationship with Japan is at the heart of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Festival is uniquely positioned as a natural conduit to unite the millions of people who want to assist and express their support in a show of unity, and the evening of hope and perseverance occurs before the 16-day celebration begins on Saturday, March 26. The Festival’s diverse and creative programming honors the gift of trees each year and the enduring friendship between the two countries.

ciao-meow/GG Cherry Blossom Central

(an artist at the Tidal Basin painting cherry blossoms via DC Public Library Commons)

Help Japan Eat

There are people in Japan who have not eaten very much, if at all, since last Friday. (Update - this is a re-post from Friday)

As the UN's leading agency in emergency operations, the World Food Programme is deploying experts to help deliver assistance to shattered Japanese communities. This is in response to Japan's request for help in meeting "epic logistical challenges," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

Please donate funds to the World Food Programme. Japan is the fourth largest donor to WFP but is in great need now & for the foreseeable future. This is a multiple crisis as the lack of donations from Japan will be sorely felt in the rest of the world.. Please help to the best of your ability. Bloggers have been asked to spread the word as well. Those with Facebook & Twitter accounts can be particularly useful in spreading this message. Thanks!

ciao-try-not-to-panic-because-it-does-no-good-meow/GG Central

PS: For a little relief, stick your head out the window & see the full super-moon tomorrow night.

(woodblock prints by the great Utagawa Hiroshige)

Pictures of the Floating World

Living only for the moment, turning our full attention to the pleasures of the moon, the snow, the cherry blossoms and the maple leaves; singing songs, drinking wine, diverting ourselves in just floating, floating; ... refusing to be disheartened, like a gourd floating along with the river current: this is what we call the floating world--Japanese novelist Asai Ryōi

Ukiyo-e is commonly translated into English as "pictures in the floating world" which is very poetic. Decidedly unpoetic are the images coming out of Japan now. Please help by visiting the International Red Cross link & donate what you can. As always, don't worry if you cannot donate a lot of money. Five dollars (or 5 pounds or 5 euros) adds up. Read more on Ukiyo-e here. Also here about Van Gogh's admiration of Japanese art. (images above are by Hiroshige on left and Van Gogh on right)

ciao-subdued-meow/GG Central

Through the Sapphire Sky to Japan

Best wishes & concerned thoughts to all in Japan, including our nephew & his wife (who is having a baby next month). Also to our friendly fellow blogger Sapphire, intrepid chronicler of Japanese culture in Through the Sapphire Sky. Much love.

PS: To find out how to help, please see here. This will be updated over the weekend.

(woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige via Life)