superlist no. 776

Where to get origami paper

THE MOST DECORATIVE way to Zen is still the extremely satisfying art of folding a single, uncut, square piece of paper into amazing animals and objects. While the path to mastery can be long and laborious, the payoff will be infinite. All you need to get started are nimble hands, patience, and lots and lots or paper. May the fold be with you!

Kinokuniya Stationery has an origami section with a very cool and quirky selection of paper ($1.65-$20). Kinokuniya Books, owned by the same people and on the same floor of Japan Center, has a huge selection of origami titles. Sun.-Thurs., 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Japan Center, 1581 Webster, S.F. (415) 567-8901.

Michael's Artists Supplies offers more than 30 different types of paper ($2.50- $7), but no books. Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 590 Sutter, S.F. (415) 421-1576.

Mikado has a nice, medium-sized selection of papers ($1.80 and up) and books. Sun.-Thurs., 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., 1737 Post, S.F. (415) 922-9450.

Pearl Art and Craft Supplies stocks around 70 kinds of paper ($2.08-$10.24) and a few books. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m., 969 Market, S.F. (415) 357-1400.

Soko Hardware offers a decent selection of books and paper as well. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 1698 Post, S.F. $3-$6.40. (415) 931-5510.

Paper Tree has about 200 types of paper ($1.99-$12) and 150 origami books. Paper tree also has in-store origami specialists and hosts seminars by a professional on some Saturdays. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 1743 Buchanan Mall, (415) 921-7100.

Flax Art and Design offers an excellent Origami section. Highlights include special Origami kits and very cool glow-in-the-dark paper. Paper runs $2.88 to $12, and there's also a small selection of books. Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 1699 Market, S.F. (415) 552-2355.

Yoshida Picture-Framing-Origami Connection offers a great selection of paper ($1.50-$15) and books, and has a very cool origami display in the window. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 571 Howard, S.F. (415) 543-6271.

Bonsai Villa has a tiny selection paper (about 10 types, ranging from $1.95 to $12.95) and a great selection of how-to-books. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 825 Clay, S.F. (415) 837-1688.

Art Store currently doesn't stock origami books, but it does have a medium-size selection of paper ($2.98-$7.98). Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 1414 Van Ness, S.F. (415) 441-6075.

Arch Drafting Supplies has a decent selection of paper (from $4) and a few books. Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. noon-5 p.m., 99 Missouri, S.F. (415) 433-2724.

Treasure Island Gifts offers a selection of about 20 different papers (from $2.99) and a few books. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 932 Grant, S.F. (415) 362-2888. (David Moisl)