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Origami

Paper Magic

Japan (by Murray, David)
The Japanese New Year's Festival, Games ... Volume Fieldiana, Popular Series , Anthropology, no. 11 (by Gunsaulus, Helen Cowen)
Japanese Culture: Its Development and Ch...
Transferred to Other Agency Referred for... (by Hirohito, Emperor)

Origami is a traditional paper folding process associated with the Japanese culture. The word arises from the Japanese words “ori” meaning to fold and “kami,” which means paper. A person who creates origami is called an origamist.

It’s a magical and entertaining experience to witness an artist fashion an ordinary piece of paper into a colorful crane, frog, or dragon.

According to PBS Hawaii, the history of Japanese origami began in the sixth century after Buddhist monks brought paper to Japan. Due to the exorbitant cost of paper, origami was reserved for religious purposes.

At the time of Japan’s Edo period between 1603 and 1868, mass production made paper plentiful and affordable, turning this paper folding process recreational. By this time, it was already recognized as an art form.

Throughout Japanese history, origami shapes conveyed different messages, although no standard meaning exists for any one shape. Samurai exchanged gifts adorned with noshi, folded strips of paper that symbolized good luck. At weddings, origami butterflies representing the bride and groom embellished sake cups.

An ancient Japanese legend promises that those who fold 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish by the gods. Even today, origami cranes symbolize long life, prosperity, peace, and well being.

In Japan, everyone from children to the elderly create origami. Children learn this art form in school or art class. Most Japanese children are adept at making a crane even if that’s the only shape they ever master. Nursing homes use this calming exercise to keep elderly residents’ minds active and their fingers moving.

Regarded as the grandmaster of origami, Akira Yoshisawa served as an international cultural ambassador for Japan. In 1983, Emperor Hirohito awarded him the Order of the Rising Sun, 5th class, which is one of the highest honors bestowed in Japan.

Contemporary origamists, such as American physicist Robert Lang, incorporate advanced mathematical theories into the processes. Renowned for his complex, elegant insect and animal designs, Lang studied the mathematics of origami and used computers to examine the theories behind this art form.

Japan isn’t the only country associated with this form of art. In Spain, the word papiroflexia or pajarita equates to origami. Europe’s paper folding tradition traces back to the Moors, who introduced a mathematically based folding process to Spain. Since Islamic traditions didn’t permit the creation of living creatures, the Moors created complicated shapes.

For more on Japanese culture, read Japanese Culture: Its Development and Characteristics, The Japanese New Year’s Festival, Games and Pastimes, and Japan.

By Regina Molaro