
Keiji Kitamura (北村惠司, 1928 – July 9, 2008) was a much-loved origami artist and teacher from Neyagawa City, Osaka. After a career in computer research at Matsushita Electric, he discovered origami in his fifties and fell in love with the art. Over the years, he created more than 1,000 models, published books in several languages, and taught countless people the joy of folding. His designs — including favorites like the cat, sea otter, sparrow, and fox — are known for their clarity, charm, and accessibility. He even designed his city’s official origami mascot, “Hachikazuki-chan.” Today, his work continues to bring smiles and inspire folders around the world.
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