At the urging of friends and family, Saeko Oyama opened her yarn shop on May 1, 1973. Although she had considered naming the store "Oyama keito-ten," her husband, Kiyoshi, thought that "Let's Knit Yarn Shop" was more to-the-point and easier to remember. With the help of her husband, brothers-in-law, nephews and daughters, counters were built, shelves were assembled and painted, and the yarn shop was born. The name -- and the store -- have endured through the years, and Mrs. Oyama continues to share her words of wisdom and good cheer with customers today.
Her dream of opening a yarn shop began in Japan. As a young girl, she was not only the fastest runner in her school's undookai (track & field day), but she was also the fastest knitter in her neighborhood. While in her teens, she was hospitalized with tuberculosis, and passed the time by crocheting and knitting, creating patterns and perfecting her skills. Saeko would crochet doilies, making "starch" out of rice and water, and blocking her pieces by stretching the doilies with the rice paste on the window. Her creations, finished in the sunshine streaming through the window, undoubtedly lifted her spirits, and probably those around her, as well. It was during this time that she started thinking about opening her own store someday.
In 1973, Mrs. Oyama realized her dream, teaching knitting and crocheting to her customers, many of whom began calling her Oyama-sensei. The store became a place where people would share recipes and advice, and find long-lost connections from "way back when," as well as the perfect yarn and pattern. Over the years, Mrs. Oyama began expanding her talents beyond knitting and crocheting. She became a licensed bunka shishu (Japanese embroidery) instructor, and started framing the finished works, as well. In the late 1980s, she started designing and framing origami cranes or tsuru, earning her the nickname of The Tsuru Lady.
If you are interested in learning more about origami cranes, please read "Senichiwa no Tsuru: One Thousand One Cranes" below.
Hello! I just wanted to thank Mrs. Oyama for making my wedding tsuru design over 20 years ago. I spent my early years in Gardena, but was raised primarily in Cerritos. However, I spent my entire married life In Portland, OR - where our tsuru (kotobuki kanji) is still prominently displayed. I have seen other designs in LA and Hawaii, but I feel that nobody did it as well as Mrs. Oyama. Her pieces had depth and motion - they were not just flat designs. I wish her the best in her retirement! Thank you, Jill Arakaki Tetsuka
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