Andrew Dewar

Andrew Dewar (1961- ) was born in Toronto, Ontario, and attended Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (Journalism) and University of Toronto (Japanese Studies, Library and Information Science) before moving to Japan in 1988. After doctoral studies in library science at Keio University, he joined the faculty of a junior college. Shortly after arriving in Japan he rediscovered his childhood hobby of designing and flying paper airplanes, after renewing contact with Yasuaki Ninomiya (creator of WhiteWings), with whom he had corresponded as a child. His own first book was published in 1998, in Japanese. To date he has 29 publications, about half in Japanese and half in English, with more on the way. He has expanded beyond paper airplanes to other kinds of paper engineering: papercraft, origami collections, karakuri toys that move in interesting ways, a planetarium, working astronomical instruments, dinosaurs, and more. He also teaches paper airplane workshops and does seminars at schools, libraries, community centres, and museums, for people of all ages: children, families, and seniors. He lives with his family in Gifu, Japan, where he is a professor of library science, the principal of a kindergarten, and director of Kami Papercraft Workshop.