Transport your child to Japan for an afternoon!
Let's make origami, a traditional Japanese paper craft, together! Fold or cut colorful square papers and make your own creations, such as animals, flowers, and fun shapes. You can create advanced pieces such as a “Koma” spinning top, a gift box, or hanging ornaments. Instructor Nami, born & raised in Japan and now a Groton resident, along with her daughter Himika, a self-proclaimed “origamist”, will provide step-by-step instructions. From younger to older kids, each participant can make her/his own creations to take home.
We'll have a calligraphy station where one of our instructors will write participants’ names on a traditional “washi” paper in Japanese.
This fun winter afternoon will conclude with reading Japanese folk stories while eating delicious Japanese snacks!
*Separate tables will be set up for ages 6-8 and 9-13.
**Parent/Guardian is NOT required to stay. This is a drop-off program.
Nami Kodaka, born and raised in Saitama, located in greater Tokyo, has been a resident of Groton since 2020. Before settling down in this idyllic New England town, Nami was busy chasing news stories as a TV producer. After a decade of covering business and economics in Tokyo for Nikkei CNBC, Nami moved to the US and worked at the Washington DC bureau of NHK, Japan's sole public broadcaster. Her coverage includes 2008 US Presidential elections and the Obama presidential campaign. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan and earned her M.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University.
These days Nami enjoys exploring the beautiful nature of Groton, and cooking Japanese and American cuisine at home for her husband and two hungry daughters.
Nami Kodaka
