A strong emphasis is put on wrapping and presenting gifts in Japanese culture. We are accustomed to having things presented in a beautiful manner. In this workshop, we will be using onigiri (rice ball) decorated with miniature paper Christmas trees that make beautiful and original Japanese-inspired Christmas gifts. Participants will be taught to fold and wrap their onigiri gifts in elegant Japanese paper as perfect presents for all of their loved ones. Two different types of onigiri will be made, one to enjoy yourself and one that will be used as a Christmas gift. Creating this “ORINIGIRI” gift is simple, all you need to do is think of a special person you want to give the gift to and you’ll easily be able to create an original Christmas gift! These onigiri gifts will be made using beautiful Japanese paper and the following ingredients:

• Rice
• Salmon flakes
• Umeboshi (pickled plum)
• Kombu (kelp)
• Tuna mayonnaise

What you will be doing in this workshop:

• Learn the history and culture of the Japanese gifting style
• Make traditional onigiri using special ORINIGIRI paper
• Design your own Christmas gift using onigiri

What is “ORINIGIRI”?

ORINIGIRI is a new type of art (and way of eating!) that combines the fun features of “Origami” and “Onigiri (Rice balls).” It’s easy to make and guests who participate in this workshop can enjoy the great and interesting onigiri experience!

Previous Workshops

• ORINIGIRI Workshop 1: A Combination of Origami and Onigiri
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 2: Let’s Enjoy Creating and Cooking ORINIGIRI
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 3: Discover the Real Taste of Rice by Making ORINIGIRI!
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 4: Adopt a Japanese home-style meal to put on your table!
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 5: Let’s make KAWAII (CUTE) “ORINIGIRI”!
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 6: Much Mochi to Munch on!
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 7: Create Your Own USA Version “ORINIGIRI!”
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 8: Let’s try making a photogenic “BENTO” lunchbox!
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 9: Shaping your own rice ball canvas
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 10: Making 3D ORINIGIRI Digitally and By Hand, & the Future of “ORINIGIRI” Hackathon
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 11: Learn About Famous Japanese Fairy Tale ”Momotaro (Peach Boy)” and Make Your Own ORINIGIRI!
• ORINIGIRI Workshop 12: Let’s Craft Japanese Food!
• ORNIGIRI Workshop 14: Craft ‘n’ Cook; Let’s Make Sweet Onigiri

About the Artist

Tomoo Nitta

Nitta was born in 1971. He studied at Kyusyu Institute of Design (presently Kyusyu University), Rhode Island School of Design and worked at Shigeru Ban Architects. In February 2014, he established Himawari Design, where he started to design varieties of space on public architecture as far as product design based on the study of using one sheet of paper. He is obsessed with design that connects various cultures and various people based on the simplicity of Japanese beauty. He also sends his message to the world through his conceptual videos. Since he married Aiko Sugiura, a writer and a concept designer in 2016, he's set up Project AICHI with her. Their activity of Himawari Design is constantly growing day by day.