Origami And Folded Paper | Origami And Folded Paper Guide

The art of origami is generally thought to have originated in Japan during the 17th century AD.

It's hard to say exactly where and when origami originated because paper decomposes relatively quickly making it difficult to keep records. The art form most likely started in China around the first century AD and came to Japan sometime around the sixth century AD where it eventually became a cultural tradition.

Initially due to the fact that paper was expensive origami was an art form only enjoyed by the rich and was used for practical purposes such as folding letters. Samurai would gave each other little paper good luck charms known as noshi and paper butterflies were folded for Shinto weddings.

During the Edo period (1600 - 1868) new methods were developed to effectively mass produce paper. This is when origami started to fully develop into the art that we know today.

Origami instructions were handed/passed down person to person and no diagrams were written until in 1797 when a book called Senbazuru Orikata (How to Fold 1000 Cranes) was published. In Japanese mythology the Crane was considered a sacred bird. As origami gained in popularity the custom that one would be granted a wish or gain good luck from folding 1000 Cranes developed.

Once other collections of diagrams started to get published origami was officially given a name.

The name origami comes from the Japanese verb oru which means to fold and the Japanese word for paper, kami. Putting the two together yields the word origami.

Modern origami was developed in the early 1900s by Akira Yoshizawa who is generally thought of to be the grandmaster of origami. Akira Yoshizawa developed the technique of wet folding which involved dampening the paper before folding to give completed models more of a sculpted and three dimensional look. By 1989 he had developed over 50,000 models and published 18 books.

During the 1980s several folders began to examine the mathematical properties of origami. With the addition of computer software it was possible to create incredibly complex models such as the ones you see today.

Interestingly enough, Japan isn't the only country with a rich origami history. The art form was also discovered by the Moors of Africa.

While Japanese origami is famous for creating representations of animals, Islamic traditions did not allow for artists to create representations of living things. This was based on the second commandment of the Ten Commandments disallowing the creation of graven images.

The Moors instead explored the mathematics of origami and created elaborate shapes and tessellations.

When the Moors invaded Spain in the 8th century AD they brought origami with them and soon after it began to spread around Europe.

The art of paper folding has existed for at least 14 centuries. While origami is traditionally associated with Japan, scholars dispute the exact date and location of origami's development. China has an established history of paper-folding as well, and early paper folding traditions have been documented in several European countries, including Spain and Italy. However, while origami's beginnings are somewhat unclear, it cannot be disputed that origami has a rich and fascinating history.

The Origins of Origami

Some scholars believe the art form of origami began soon after the development of paper in 105 A.D. The invention of paper is attributed to the Chinese man Ts'ai Lun, an official in the Chinese Imperial government. Some scholars cite historical evidence of Chinese fans from the 2nd century as an early example of paper folding in the nation.

Most historians, however, credit the invention of origami to the Japanese. Buddhist monks from China brought paper to Japan in the 6th century, where the art of origami soon blossomed throughout the country. In fact, it was the Japanese who coined the term "origami": it comes from the Japanese words "oru" (meaning "to fold") and "kami" (meaning "paper").

Origami in Japan

The Japanese soon incorporated the art of paper folding into their popular culture. Paper figures became a traditional exchange between Samurai warriors, and some origami shapes were integrated into Japanese religious ceremonies. Because paper was very expensive in ancient Japan, origami was initially reserved for the upper classes of society. However, over time, origami became popular throughout the country. As more people practiced origami, the Japanese invented more complex and creative designs.

These designs were passed down through a rich oral tradition in Japan. In fact, the first written instructions for origami figures did not come until the 18th century, when the first origami book (called "Thousand Crane Folding") was published.

Origami in Other Cultures

While Japan arguably has the richest history of origami, other countries have historical records of paper folding as well. After the Arabs first brought paper to Spain in the 12th century, the Spanish began folding paper in geometric designs and, eventually, into the more artistic creations we typically associate with origami. Additionally, some scholars believe the Italians had an early paper folding tradition as well, because of a 17th century Italian book documenting the art of napkin folding. Finally, Germany in the 19th century introduced origami in its kindergarten schools as a method of teaching creativity and mathematical principles to children.

Origami Today

Today, the art of origami has become popular worldwide. One reason is the influence of the Japanese Master Yoshizawa, who began publishing books teaching origami designs in the 1950s. His books developed a system of symbols for origami designs that has become standard today. Because of Yoshizawa's influence, origami's popularity grew greatly in the 20th century. In 1967, the first Origami Society was founded in the UK; similar organizations soon appeared in Japan, Italy, and Israel.

Since its beginnings in ancient China and Japan, origami has blossomed into a beloved art form across the globe. Today, countless people from numerous cultures enjoy making origami models as a hobby.