Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is being taught to Tongan students this week in workshops conducted by Sydney-based Japanese artist, Midori Furze, in Nuku’alofa.

Tongan students are learning how to make figures and shapes, such as a heart, samurai helmet, triangular bipyramid and a water-bird.

Midori said not only will students learn something new, but they will find joy in origami.

The first origami workshop was held for the teachers and special needs students at ‘Ofa, Tui mo ‘Amanaki Centre and for Japanese Language students and teachers at Tonga High School on Wednesday 28 August.

Midori and her assistant Miho Higuchi, are also conducting workshops with primary schools as well as the general public.

The Origami program is organized by the Embassy of Japan in Tonga and the Japan Foundation as part of the embassy’s annual cultural events aimed at enhancing Tongans knowledge of Japanese culture through art.