M. Fumie Craig, Origami Artist. 2025
M. Fumie Craig, also known as M, is an American of Japanese and Black/Creole heritage. Based in Tucson, she has dedicated her life to origami as a way to connect cultures, generations, and communities. She first learned to fold paper cranes from her aunt in Tokyo and later co-founded the Tucson Origami Club, which has thrived for over two decades. Today, she mentors her daughter and apprentice, Stephanie Mariko Rojas, ensuring origami continues as a living tradition shared with future generations.
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M. Craig was born into a multicultural family, with a Japanese mother from Tokyo and a Creole/Black father from Louisiana. Growing up in a U.S. Air Force family, she moved frequently—from California to Japan, Washington D.C., and back again—experiences that gave her a unique perspective on language, culture, and community. Japanese was spoken at home, while her father encouraged English in America, creating a bilingual foundation that shaped her identity. Her heritage and upbringing deeply inform her work, which she has carried forward in Tucson, Arizona, for the past 47 years.
Origami, meaning “folded paper,” is a traditional Japanese art form that has become central to M.’s life. Though paper was first invented in China, folding reached Japan in the 6th century and became woven into cultural and educational traditions. The paper crane, or tsuru, is one of the most iconic models, symbolizing good fortune and longevity. For M., origami is more than tradition—it is a pathway to joy, mindfulness, and connection. “Transformation begins with a single fold,” she says, describing how origami bridges generations and cultures while cultivating creativity and calm.
When she was ten years old, she learned her first origami—a paper crane–from her aunt, while living in Tokyo. Her mother, a creative woman who practiced ikebana, calligraphy, sewing, and cooking, nurtured her artistic spirit. Origami became a meditative practice, one she carried with her wherever she went. Over the years, she expanded her skills through books, videos, and workshops, including one led by origami master Michael LaFosse. M discovered that origami could travel anywhere—airports, offices, churches, and community gatherings—becoming a tool for comfort and connection.
In 2004, M. co-founded the Tucson Origami Club with Kha Dang, which has met monthly for over two decades. The club brings together a diverse group of people—students, retirees, families, and children—who fold seasonally themed pieces, celebrate holidays, and represent origami at community events. She has also guided the group to create paper cranes to commemorate Hiroshima, and has been recognized by Japan for her efforts.
M’s work ranges from traditional models to sculptural creations using wet folding techniques, which allow expressive curves and forms. Each fold begins with inspiration drawn from nature, memory, or family. In recent years, she has incorporated her Fine Arts background by designing original models inspired by the Southwest—cactus, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Her daughter, Stephanie Mariko Rojas, is both her apprentice and longtime folding companion. Together they lead workshops for families and children, blending fun, education, and tradition. Their collaboration reflects the intergenerational nature of origami, showing how the practice continues to evolve while remaining rooted in heritage.