To fold, to wrap, to tie.

Japan incorporates within its beautiful culture a particular way to interpret each other’s feelings in a courteous manner with simple demeanors.
“Origata”, the method of wrapping and tying gifts, is still very much a part of our everyday lives.

We present “Form” and “Heart” in this exhibition through the wisdom and aesthetics of Origata.

A gift can be not only something special, but also a simple thing that enriches our normal lives.

Learning the meaning of these demeanors and forms and then transforming them into actions, will bring us a small yet invaluable boost of vibrant energy.

This energy celebrates a relationship between people and nature, a gift that we can also pass on to future generations.
Ultimately, then, everyday is a good day.

We hope that our hearts will always be filled with warmth towards one another, both when offering and receiving a gift.

ATELIER MUJI GINZA

What is Origata?

A “feeling” describes a condition of the “heart” when it is touched by something.This condition of the “heart” is fluid, and moreover, invisible.

“Origata” was established as a method of gift wrapping and tying in the Muromachi era.
It is a beautiful Japanese practice that communicates an invisible “feeling” by translating it into certain visual styles of “form” and “object”.

Design isn’t limited only to creating the “form” of an “object”.
A type of behavior, such as a demeanor or an action, doesn’t have a form, but is perceived as design by Japanese people. Origata is a virtue which still plays an integral part in the offering of gifts to the present day.

Nobuhiro Yamaguchi + Midori Yamaguchi + Yuko Nishimura
Origata Design Institute