On January 18, 2026, at the 2026 New Year’s Reception of the Japanese Association of Greater Philadelphia (JAGP), a framed horse origami artwork created by Taro Yaguchi, Founder and Senior Origami Artist of Taro’s Origami Studio, was formally presented to Satoshi Katahira, the newly appointed Consul General of Japan in New York.

The artwork was handed directly to Consul General Katahira by Mr. Funaki, President of the Japanese Association of Greater Philadelphia, during the official ceremony.
The photographs shown here were taken at the reception venue on the day of the event.

A Horse Origami Created for the Year of the Horse

The horse motif was chosen in celebration of 2026 being the Year of the Horse in the Japanese zodiac.
In Japanese culture, the horse symbolizes strength, vitality, and forward momentum, making it a fitting subject for a New Year’s occasion and for honoring the arrival of a newly appointed Consul General.

The piece was meticulously folded from a single sheet of paper and presented in a framed format that emphasizes its three-dimensional structure and dynamic sense of motion. Through carefully composed angles, light, and shadow, the work highlights the sculptural qualities of origami while remaining deeply rooted in traditional Japanese paper-folding practice.

Letter of Appreciation from the Japanese Association

Following the event, the Japanese Association of Greater Philadelphia kindly sent a letter of appreciation confirming receipt of the donated artworks. In the message, Ayumi Mukasa of the JAGP Office described the horse origami as “full of motion and very impressive,” and noted that two donated works were successfully delivered to Consul General Katahira and to the Director of the Consular Affairs Division. Both recipients were reported to be very pleased with the gifts.

Taro Yaguchi is deeply honored to have his work received so warmly and to have contributed to such a meaningful occasion.

Sharing Japanese Culture Through Origami

Through his work, Taro Yaguchi views origami not merely as a craft, but as a medium for cultural expression, artistic dialogue, and international connection.
He continues to engage in exhibitions, commissioned artworks, workshops, and the creation of ceremonial and official gifts in Japan and abroad, sharing the spirit of Japanese culture through origami.

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