The Art of Origami

折り紙 (おりがみ - Origami) directly translates to “paper folding”, which is quite fitting since it is an art form created by folding and crimping paper. The only tool needed is paper! While some origami uses tape, scissors, or multiple pieces of paper, it often relies on folds, so the only mandatory material is paper. In most cases, the paper has to be square, though some exceptions exist where rectangular paper is used.

It's easy to make a square from rectangular printer or notebook paper, which makes getting into origami easy for everyone. However, most commonly, people use 和紙 (わし - washi) paper or origami paper. These papers come in plenty of designs, colors, sizes, thickness, etc. The differences typically don’t matter, as it is up to the creator to decide what they want their final origami creation to look like and what paper they prefer. Some designs do require a specific thickness to lay flat and not rip while folding, though.

The History of 折り紙 The Art of Origami

Origami history is long and highly debated. It is estimated that it was brought to Japan when China introduced paper. Origami was popularized in Japan during the 江戸時代 (Edo Period) because washi paper was cheaper. This made the hobby more widespread. As origami became popular and more people were introduced to it, the practices with it evolved as well. Examples include formal gift wrapping and paper purses. 

折り紙 Cranes

Often when thinking about origami, cranes come to mind. While origami includes many other animals, plants, and objects, the crane has become the most recognizable symbol. This is because the crane is a valued symbol in Japan for many reasons. Cranes are associated with good fortune and longevity and are often used as a festival symbol.

However, one of the most prominent reasons is the story of “千羽鶴折形 (One Thousand Origami Cranes)”, which is one of the first recorded books about origami and its folds. However, other books and poems have also referenced or mentioned origami. This led historians to believe origami could have existed before the 1600s, even without concrete proof.

Modern Usage

Origami is a common hobby today. In Japan, schools typically introduce it to children at a young age. They often start with simpler designs like a cat or dog, which require minimal folding. This is when pens and other fun tools are often used to spark children's creativity. Because more advanced designs require precise folds, some techniques show strong mathematical skills.

It does this by turning a 2D object into a 3D one, which can be a great way to visualize geometry. Origami uses symmetrical lines and folds, often at different angles to overlap in certain patterns. Dividing the paper into these fold segments becomes easier with a better understanding of fractions. Overall, origami is a very useful tool in children’s development.

子供の日

子供の日 (Children’s Day), May 5th, is exactly what it sounds like: a day to celebrate children. Since there is no school, kids participate in many activities during this time, often at community centers or at home with their family. Since origami is popular among kids and widely taught, it plays a part. The most common origami, a 兜(かぶと - kabuto), is a samurai hat. Children often make these with big sheets of paper (like newspapers) so they can actually wear them as hats.

祭り- Festivals

Origami is also shown in modern Japanese festivals called 祭り（まつり - matsuri). The most popular origami seen during matsuri are the crane, pine trees, lotus flowers, stars, hearts, zodiac animals, etc. The specific origami creations depend on the type of festival and the meanings behind each symbol in Japanese culture. For example, a 七夕（たなばた - tanabata) festival would incorporate stars for the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, as stars symbolize wishes and harmony. Origami is often used as decorations in many different ways during matsuri, like at craft tables for kids, garlands and other hanging decorations, accessories, etc. 

Origami techniques are also used outside of paper crafts. They have been used in maps and other large paper works in a quick and clean way. These skills have also been used to help space exploration in many ways. For example, from tightly packing things to bringing them safely into space and deploying them using the Miura technique. The Miura technique allows a large flat surface—like a map or solar panel—to pack compactly and open or close completely by simply pulling or pushing its opposite diagonal corners.

This is often done for things like solar panels and satellites, as well as the Webb telescope.  This telescope was built with multiple hexagonal mirrors that connect to form one larger mirror. It uses origami folding techniques, making sure the panels are even and symmetrical so they can fold up on themselves. This is how it deploys in space!

My Experience With 折り紙

Origami doesn’t have as much influence in the West, but it's still a fun leisure activity. The most popular origami in the United States is probably the fortune teller, or cootie catcher. It is a two-person origami activity. The purpose of the game is to tell a fortune. The player chooses a number, color, etc., associated with the top pieces. The teller does as the player instructs and shuffles the origami as so, and the game goes on until a fortune is ultimately revealed. Then it is read out to the player. Each tab is unique because each number, color, fortune, etc., is written by the person who made it. There is no set or correct way to make one, so each one turns out differently. 

On my university's Language Day, I got the opportunity to teach the local high school students about origami and 子供の日 (Children’s Day). We talked about how children in Japan learned and practiced origami, and then taught the high schoolers the same. We did samurai hats as a whole, then broke out into groups and taught them a simpler design for beginners.

After practicing many different creations, I picked what I would teach my group, and I  showed them how to make an origami butterfly. If I’m being honest, before this lesson I didn’t know how to do origami at all; however, I wanted to learn something new.  I then found it to be a great new hobby, and I often do it in my free time. My favorite origami to make is a snail; it’s challenging at first but very rewarding.  The Art of Origami

Sources:

1. https://paper.gatech.edu/kinetic-joy/history-origami

2. https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/origami/exploring01.html

3. https://www.toki.tokyo/blogt/2016/4/4/origami-the-japanese-tradition-of-paper-folding

4. https://japansociety.org/news/origami-in-the-classroom-where-every-child-counts/

5. https://hadiupdates.exblog.jp/244140970/

6. https://www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/to-know/understanding-japan/senbazuru-one-thousand-cranes

7. https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/read-and-watch/make-your-own-origami-kabuto/

8. https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/202112/202112_05_en.html

9. https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/webb-and-origami/

10. https://www.edutopia.org/article/origami-promote-math-talk/

11. https://www.japan-suite.com/blog/2014/7/6/tanabata-story-of-two-star-crossed-lovers?srsltid=AfmBOop4L4_-hnrmt3ra5HE3nKEKOlSmkosfOdlM4lWiGn0EU1iSR9SX

Picture:

1. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-colorful-collection-of-origami-paper-cranes-tRBp35rTGpM

2. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-bunch-of-origami-flowers-hanging-from-strings-5KmFV7KXmH0

3. https://origami.guide/history-of-origami/

4. https://origamiok.com/origami-snail/

5. https://unsplash.com/photos/green-paper-boat-on-white-table-AxUB4m3nDCE

6. https://www.uwajimaya.com/blog/childrens-day-origami-samurai-helmet/