Skip to main content

You make this possible. Support our independent, nonprofit newsroom today.

Give Now

A dictionary transforms a son's grief

After his father's death, Byron Au Yong turned to paper folding.

Chinese paper folding revolves around making objects for the dead. Byron folded some of his father’s personal belongings like vintage textbook pages, magazines, and even retired receipts. The process was meditative and comforting and helped Byron mourn his father. It also helped him connect to his own Chinese American heritage.

Byron Folds Paper Vertical.JPG
Enlarge Icon
Shin Yu Pai

Related Links:

Byron Au Yong

Chinese paper folding

The Blue Suit is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music by Byron Au Yong as well as Tony Anderson and Jordan Critz.

Why you can trust KUOW