Tell Me About It: In the fold

1. How long have you been folding origami?

The first time I saw this, I was visiting San Francisco and went to Chinatown and Japantown. I saw these paper figures in the store and asked the lady what that was, and she said “origami.” I bought a book, but I was making spitballs like crazy — until I realized in Japan, you read books from the back page to the front.

2. There are simple to more difficult things, I’m guessing?

(Rosado folds a swan.) This is an exercise you can do right off the bat, one any kid can do. It’s a confidence-builder. A couple of quick folds, the magic swivel, and you have the swan.

3. What happened there? It was like a magic trick.

Swivel, pinch, swivel pinch. That’s all it takes. I use words like that because the kids like it. The last time I was at Elmwood Elementary School, I taught 400 kids.

4. Why write a book?

I see kids get interested in origami. Their mom gets them a book for Christmas, and it ends up on the shelf because they’re frustrated, with all the symbols and stuff. My book just has drawings, and you don’t have to worry about decoding origami symbols.

5. What skills do you need or does it teach?

Patience is the first. You cannot hurry. Girls are better than boys. They are more refined and accurate in their folding. Boys attack it.

6. What do you enjoy about it?

I like challenges. I’m always trying to create something smaller. I made a crane that was like a speck. I started with a paper a half-inch square. I couldn’t find it and realized my wife had vacuumed, and I never saw it again. I also have a crane that has a 16-inch wingspan.

I have 11 grandkids and have been hoping one was a folder. Finally, I think the 7-year-old and 10-year-old will be folders.

There are two different kinds of people in origami: folders and designers. I’m a folder, not a designer, but I’m trying to become one. It’s one of those things if you got it, you got it, and you know you’ve got it.