Origami Cranes

• According to Japanese legend, anyone who successfully folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a single wish. The ill or injured, new parents or newlyweds, or their families often undertake this task. The resulting cranes are commonly strung together with string and beads. Surprise your friend or loved one with a string of folded paper cranes in their favorite colors or patterns, or fold a single crane for your craft-loving friends and include 999 sheets of origami paper, string and beads.
  
  

Spice Jars

• Japanese cooking is a treasure trove of interesting herbs, spices and seasonings not commonly found in American cuisine. Introduce a friend to the wonders of Japanese cooking by assembling an assortment of Japanese spice jars in glass or plastic shakers. Create Japanese curry by mixing cumin, coriander, turmeric, ground clove, fennel and salt. Add a small amount of red pepper for a spicier blend. Mix shredded ginger, daikon radish and ponzu or soy sauce for a refrigerated stir-fry blend. Sprinkle a simple blend of wasabi powder and ground nori sheets over rice or baked crackers.
  
  

Bento Set

• Bento boxes, the Japanese equivalent of American lunchboxes, consist of several small containers that fit inside one larger box, and may be constructed out of virtually any food-safe material. To create a traditional bento box, purchase appropriately-sized wooden containers from a craft store and decorate them with paint, photographs, stickers or other craft materials. Once complete, coat in a food-safe sealant and let dry completely. Affix a small clasp to the largest box to help it stay shut when jostled or bumped, and attach a strap or handle if desired.
  
  

Amigurumi

• Amigurumi refers to the fairly modern Japanese art of crocheting small, three-dimensional figures out of yarn and stuffing them with filler such as quilt batting. Common themes in amigurumi include animals, cartoon characters, and other anthropomorphic creatures. Another common theme is food items, mostly sweets such as cupcakes or ice cream cones, and traditional Japanese foods like sushi and mochi. Although these stuffed toys are unlikely to appeal to many adults, amigurumi make excellent gifts for children and young teens who may enjoy collecting the small figures.