About Origami

origami crane picture:



Origami is the ancient Japanese art form of paper folding. In translation, it literally means to fold (ori), and paper (kami). The aim of the art form is to fold the paper into patterns and shapes without the use of scissors, glue or any other added tool or decoration. Generally the origami designs begin with a square sheet of decorative paper, and it has been practiced since the Edo era, which ranged from 1603 to 1867. Origami actually originated in China in the first century AD and reached Japan by the 6th century. In the Heian period of Japanese history Sumurai warriors would use origami in Japanese ceremonies; they’d exchange gifts with noshi on them – noshi being good luck tokens made from folded pieces of paper. Shinto weddings used origami in the form of paper butterflies to represent the bride and groom. By the 1960’s there was a full fledged origami movement developing, of which came modular origami and kirikomi. Action origami is a sect of origami that actually uses movement to convey the art form. This includes origami that flies, inflates or flaps.

Different Types of Origami

If you want to learn the art of origami you’ll have to become familiar with the different types. There are the traditional or classic models that include cranes, balls and frogs. If you need instructions for origami these are the most common and most easy models for beginners. Cranes and pajarita origami usually contain less than 20 folds, and the folds learned are usually the basis for more advanced origami. Modular models of origami include geometric shapes which are simple to create individually, but are then duplicated and assembled into a larger model. Geometric models of origami usually involve one piece of paper that is “pleated” and divided into parts. Complex origami models include a range of animals, insects, and even human figures – they usually include very detailed and difficult to fold features that are for the more advanced origami artist. Compound models of origami include many different models of origami that are then assembled – this type of origami is different than modular models in that it uses unique parts instead of duplicate parts.

Other origami subjects include different types flowers, easy stars, Japanese roses, hearts, swans, boxes, a variety of animals like cats dogs frogs and mice, mini dolls, beautiful snowflakes, and airplanes. In order to add your own special touch it’s fun to experiment with different colors, sizes and textures of origami paper. A great website to buy decorative origami paper is http://www.paperstudio.com/ – they offer a variety of traditional, unique and modern designs.

How to Make Origami

There are many useful origami instructions online including origami websites like http://www.opane.com/howtoorigami.html

origami diagram: a cat napping instructions: