I remember the day I bought Fredrik. I was working in Burlington County, and he was coming up in an online auction. I really wanted him, but I was going to be in the middle of a teleconference and couldn't be distracted, so I put in a somewhat high bid in advance, hoping and praying I'd win him. After the meeting, I checked my phone and was shocked to find no one else had bid, and he was mine. I was thrilled to adopt him!
Fredrik was born in Germany, but soon moved to Japan working as a consultant for a mechanical toy company. He lived in a very small apartment above retail space in the middle of Tokyo. Over the years, many different types of businesses occupied the first floor, including a record store, a restaurant, a hair salon, an art gallery and a tailor shop, just to name a few. Most recently, the barbershop had shut its doors, due to Mr. Yakamoto's poor health.
One afternoon, returning home from his job, he did a double take. Much to his surprise, hanging in the storefront windows were little paper creatures created in the most beautiful colors. Pressing his nose against the pane, he saw cranes, cats, bats, rabbits, butterflies, frogs, flowers, goldfish, dolphins and even an elephant. He had just discovered the art of origami. He was awestruck. He entered the store, and that very afternoon with instruction from his new neighbor, Miss Ito, made his first paper folds and crafted a little golden crown. He excelled at his new hobby. When he moved in with me, his first request was a box of 6 inch by 6 inch colored paper, from which he made me a lovely bouquet of paper flowers. I still have them on my dresser, next to a little golden crown.
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