As most of my models are animals and flowers, I think I get most of my inspiration directly or indirectly from nature. I enjoy, however, participating in workshops held at conventions and learning models directly from the creators. But nowadays I rarely fold other designers’ models from diagrams. My favorite book is Momotani’s Origami nyu̅mon (Initiation to Origami), in which he explains not only his method of creating origami models but also the origami as a culture. Sato: When I was a child, I enjoyed folding models by Kasahara, Takahama and Momotani. His art works inspired my exhibition held in Paris in June and July 2013.ĭo you fold other people's models? If so, do you have a favorite designer? What three origami books will you take with you to a desert island? If you don’t fold others' models, why not? What is your source of inspiration? His works are not just beautiful but capture the scientific details of each species. There is a Belgian painter, Pierre-Joseph Ledouté, who is very famous for his botanical illustrations and especially for his rose paintings. I’m just doing some rough sketches of what I see in nature. I’m not saying that I try to put life to my models. I can trace what I see with the creases made on a sheet of paper just like I draw with black lines on paper. I think folding paper is for me just like drawing with pen or pencil.
Sato: Since my early childhood, I’ve always been attracted by paper and I enjoyed creating things by folding this particular material. What is origami to you? Why are you interested in origami? What types of origami do you like to fold and to create? I’ve been studying both vocal and signed languages for several years and, believe it or not, I have found how the human language works! My lifework is first to establish a new language theory in order to give equal status to all signed languages compared with oral languages and eventually to give a correct, or at least better, definition of the human being. Sato: Besides origami, I have a great interest in human nature and human identity. Who is Naomiki Sato? Please tell me what I must know about you. I must say his story and ideas are fascinating! So, without further ado, I proudly introduce to you Naomiki Sato! This intimate meeting allowed me not only to learn a magnificent rose, but also to get to know Naomiki. I had missed Naomiki's class but I managed, through some high connections in the MFPP (the french Origami Association), to arrange a private class with him consisting of two other students and me. It all started with a secret meeting during the 30th CDO convention.