Origami

Origami is the art and technique of folding paper to create beautiful two- and three-dimensional shapes. The word "origami" comes from Japan, but people all over the world have practiced paper folding for many years. The exact origin of origami is still a mystery.

The goal of origami is to turn a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture just by folding it. Most modern origami artists do not cut, glue, or mark the paper. When cuts are used, the craft is called kirigami. Origami can be divided into two types: ceremonial origami, used for special events, and recreational origami, which is for fun and creativity.

Even though origami seems simple, using just a few basic folds can create very detailed and beautiful designs. One of the most famous origami models is the paper crane. Origami ideas are not just for art; they are also used in real life, such as in making stents to help people’s bodies and in packaging to protect goods.

Etymology

The word "origami" comes from two smaller words: "ori," which means to fold, and "kami," which means paper. In the past, different names were used for folding paper for fun, such as "orikata" or "origata."

Today, many countries use the word "origami," but some places have their own special words, like zhe zhi in China, jongi jeobgi in Korea, and papiroflexia in Spain.

History

Main article: History of origami

Origami, the art of paper folding, has rich traditions in Europe, China, and Japan. In Japan, by the 7th century, paper was used for religious ceremonies and decorations. The Heian period saw the development of special folded paper for Shinto rituals and gifts.

During the Muromachi period, the Ogasawara and Ise clans helped create beautiful folded paper designs for important events. In the Edo period, origami became a popular hobby, with books like Ranma zushiki showing folded paper cranes. The book Hiden senbazuru orikata from 1797 featured advanced origami designs by a Buddhist monk.

In the 1800s, when Japan opened to the world, European ideas about paper folding were introduced. Kindergartens began using origami for children’s learning. In the 1900s, artists like Akira Yoshizawa introduced new folding methods. By the 1980s, people started studying the math behind origami, leading to even more complex designs. Today, origami is appreciated both as art and for its scientific uses.

Techniques and materials

Main article: Yoshizawa–Randlett system

Origami uses many different folding techniques to create models. Some common folds include valley folds, mountain folds, and reverse folds. There are also special starting shapes, called bases, like the bird base or the fish base, that help make different kinds of origami animals and objects.

Origami is usually done with special paper called "kami," which comes in squares and can be colored or patterned. Regular paper can also be used for simple models, while heavier paper works better for more detailed designs. There are even special papers made from natural materials like bamboo or hemp, and some people enjoy folding paper money too! Tools like bone folders or tweezers can help make precise folds, especially for tricky designs.

Types

Action origami

Main article: Action origami

Action origami includes designs that can move. Some origami can fly, while others need to be inflated or touched to make parts move. A classic example is a flapping bird, and modern designers like Robert Lang create figures whose hands move when you pull their heads.

Modular origami

Main article: Modular origami

Modular origami uses many small, identical pieces that fit together to make a larger model. These pieces can be simple, but putting them together can be tricky. One popular type is decorative balls called kusudama, where the pieces might be stuck together with thread or glue.

Wet-folding

Main article: Wet-folding

Wet-folding is a method where the paper is slightly wet so it can be shaped into curves. When it dries, the model keeps its shape. This technique is great for making realistic-looking animals.

Pureland origami

Main article: Pureland origami

Pureland origami has strict rules: only simple folds are allowed, and they must follow certain paths. It was created to make origami easier for beginners or people with limited hand movement.

Origami tessellations

Origami tessellations are patterns that cover a flat surface completely without gaps. Artists use repeated folds to create beautiful, detailed designs. This style became popular after 2000, with designers like Robert Lang and Alex Bateman using computers to make new patterns.

Kirigami

Main article: Kirigami

Kirigami is the art of cutting paper as well as folding it. In the past, cuts were common in origami, but today most designers prefer to avoid them and call designs with cuts "Kirigami" instead.

Strip folding

Strip folding mixes folding with weaving. A well-known example is the Lucky Star, also called the Chinese lucky star or origami star. Another is the Moravian star, which has 16 points.

Teabag folding

Teabag folding was created by Dutch artist Tiny van der Plas in 1992. It uses small squares of paper, like tea bag wrappers, to make 3D designs by folding them into matching shapes. Teachers often use these designs to show patterns and symmetry in math.

Mathematics and technical origami

Main article: Mathematics of paper folding

Origami has deep connections to mathematics. One important area of study is whether a pattern of creases can be folded flat into a two-dimensional shape, known as flat-foldability. Insights from origami have helped create new technologies, such as better designs for car airbags and medical stent implants.

Technical origami is a method where designers plan the creases before folding begins. This approach, developed by experts like Robert Lang, allows for very detailed models, such as creatures with many legs or human figures with complete hands and feet. Designers use computer programs like TreeMaker and Oripa to help create and test new origami bases and patterns.

Ethics and copyright

In the origami community, it is important to give credit to the person who created the design when showing origami models. With the internet, it is easy to find and share designs, but it is good to respect the work of artists.

A court in Japan decided that the way to fold an origami model is like an idea, not a creative work that can be owned. This means people can redraw folding instructions and share them, even if they look similar, as long as they are just showing the functional steps.

Origami in various meanings

The word "origami" is most known for folding paper into fun shapes, but in Japan it has had other meanings too. Long ago, important families used "origami" to show that a valuable sword or tea tool was of high quality. They would attach a special paper certificate called origami to prove this.

Origami was also used for old letters and documents. When paper was folded in a certain way, it showed the importance or purpose of the letter. Sometimes origami was used for important messages or lists of gifts.

In popular culture

Origami has appeared in many fun stories and shows. In the TV show House of Cards, a character starts making origami animals. In Blade Runner, a special character folds origami that helps tell the story. The children’s book The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger features a student who makes an origami Yoda puppet from Star Wars to give advice to friends. The video game Paper Mario: The Origami King from 2020 lets players explore a world where everything is made of folded paper.