Gererdo asked...
"How common are they nowadays"
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In answer to question 4....very common in retail.
Asian stores in Northern California (San Francisco and north) carry them
as a regular item. For decades the country of origin was Japan. In the
past 3-5 years, the country of origin is China.
Origami themes, especially the crane, are popular.
Are these tiny sculptures used or even recognized as rests for chopsticks??
I don't know.
I suspect the tourists in Japan Town in San Francisco use them as tchotchke.
Louise in Northern California
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