Wataru Takada Song Featured in Akagi Nyugyo’s 2016 Commercial

A talented student who is enrolled in Advanced Placement courses at Bronx High School of Science in New York, Wataru Takada also volunteers his time as a math tutor with the organization Top Honors. He was intrigued to find out that he shares his name with the late folk singer Wataru Takada. The singer's most famous songs include “Riding the Bicycle” and “Let’s Join the Self-Defense Force.” Japanese frozen dessert company Akagi Nyugyo Co. featured one of the singer’s songs in a recent commercial for its popular Gari-Gari Kun popsicles. 

Gari Gari-Kun initially hit store shelves in 1981 and became a favorite among Japanese consumers due to its assortment of distinctive flavors, such as potato stew, spaghetti, and the best-selling corn potage. Akagi Nyugyo increased the price of the ice treat for the first time in 25 years due to the increased cost of labor and ingredients. The commercial, which served as an apology to the company’s consumers, featured Takada’s folk song “Neage,” which roughly translates to “Price Increase.” The lyrics of “Neage” express a desire to avoid price increases, and the text accompanying the video includes an apology from the company. 

The price for the Gari Gari-Kun treat increased from 60 to 70 yen, which is the equivalent of a 9 cent increase in US dollars.

The Early Origins of Paper Folding and Origami in Japan

High School student Wataru Takada studies at the Bronx High School of Science. He is taking rigorous Advanced Placement courses and is especially accomplished in math. Outside of his schoolwork, Wataru Takada folds origami for fun and relaxation. 

Details of origami's history are subject to much debate. Paper degrades quickly, so paper goods are rarely found among other ancient artifacts. Historians do know that paper was first introduced to Korea and Japan sometime in the 6th century. 

Paper was expensive in Japan during this time. Paper folding rituals soon developed, but they were largely restricted to religious rituals and highly formal ceremonies. Some of the first folded paper artifacts were known as “shide.” They were used on wooden staffs for purification ceremonies and strung on a rope to create “shimenawa” for altars.

In later years, Japanese cultures developed a series of etiquette rules for the giving of folded paper. By the 17th century, paper was commonplace, and origami for fun and recreation had begun to take root. The first-known book on recreational paper folding was published in 1797.