All About Origami

- SPREADING THE JOY OF PAPER FOLDING -

ALL ABOUT ORIGAMI

Origami, is the Japanese name for the art of paper folding, comes from the Japanese verb oru (to fold) and the noun kami (paper). The word Origami is now commonly used around the world. A finished origami figure is called a model, the method for folding a model is called a design, and drawn instructions for a model is called a set of diagrams. An origami artist is usually called a paperfolder or origamist. Origami has different levels based on your skill level.

Origami became a prominent art form in Japan from as early as 1490 and then gradually spread all over the world.

You cannot talk about the history of origami without the story of Sadako Sasaki. Sadako was a Japanese girl living in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in 1945.

In 1955, at age 11, Sadako was diagnosed with leukemia, a type of cancer caused by the atomic bomb. While in the hospital, Sadako started to fold paper cranes. In Japan, there is a belief that if you folded 1000 paper cranes, then your wish would come true. Sadako spend 14 months in the hospital, folding paper cranes with whatever paper she could get from medicine bottles, candy wrappers, and left over gift wrap paper.

Her wish was that she would get well again, and to attain peace & healing to the victims of the world.

Sadako died on October 25, 1955, she was 12 years old and had folded over 1300 paper cranes. Although Sadako died at a very young age, her legacy continues. To this day, the paper crane is probably the most recognized origami model and is often given as a wish for peace.

History of Origami

This paper-folding skill is a must-try for adults and kids alike.

In Japan origami is a part of the elementary school curriculum for good reason. Origami provokes creativity and curiosity and by folding a paper crease after crease, you eagerly anticipate the end result. Manipulating paper with your own hands gives you a sense of achievement, further unleashing your creative power.

Why do Origami?

How do I get started?

Choose the right paper:

The choice of paper determines the success of your folding projects. For most beginners to intermediate level I would recommend one of the following:

Ordinary Kami paper– these are specially made and cut squares of paper of about 15cm that work well for all models at this level

A4 Printer or Copy paper

Kraft paper – you can recognise it from its usually brown or yellow colour. It’s thin and often
has lines running over it. In many countries it’s used to cover children’s copies

Wrapping paper– as long as it’s thin and strong it will probably work

For more complex models you will find the above paper may be difficult to work with as they will either get worn looking, tear, or get too thick. so you’ll need more crispier and thinner paper.

What else do I need?

Nothing… except a ruler and pencil along with a cutting knife to cut the paper to the exact shape shape you need. When cutting you need to be very accurate. Accurate to 1mm at most! You need other TOOLS if you ever start doing complex origami