Japanese Origami | The Photography Shack

Like many other aspects of Japanese culture, origami, from the word ori, meaning to fold, and gami, meaning paper, is said to have originated in China. It is thought that paper was first made and folded in China during the first or second century, and from there it developed into Japanese origami.

The earliest record of the Japan craft dates back to the Heian Period, which occurred from 794 to 1185 AD. During this period, Japan’s nobility had its golden age and was a time of great cultural and artistic advances.

Paper was still a rare commodity, so origami was a pastime only for the elite, and was folded into certain shapes for ceremonial occasions like weddings. White sheets were torn into strips and used to mark sacred objects. This is a custom which is still practiced in every shrine to this day.

Japanese Wedding Gifts

Honorable Samurai warriors would exchange gifts in the form of noshi, a paper folded with a piece of dried fish or other meat. It was considered a token of good luck. Another example of the Japanese using it in a purposeful way includes wedding gifts given by Shinto noblemen.

They would wrap glasses of rice wine or sake in butterfly forms to represent the newlywed couple. Additionally, the crane became a Japanese symbol of peace and good fortune.

Origami Model Of A Frog

A book called "Window on Midwinter" was published in 1845 and included a collection of over one hundred and fifty origami models. It was in this book that the model of a frog was introduced. The frog model is still a very well known today.

Japanese origami became a recreation in Japan with the publication of this book and a form of entertainment for the merchant classes and the common people. By the middle of the 19th century, over seventy different designs had been created.

Aside from its ceremonial use, its popularity has increased more and more with the modernization of Japan.

The Moors Created Geometric Figures

It was not only the Japanese who were embracing the art of folding paper, but the Moors in Africa were as well. When they invaded Spain in the eighth century, they brought this art form with them.

Because their religion prohibited them from making animal forms, the Moors created geometric figures instead. From Spain, this art form spread to South America, and as trade routes were developed, origami was introduced to Europe and eventually to North America.

The Father Of Modern Origami

Today, master paper craft artists can be found all over the world. Akira Yoshizawa of Japan is one of the best known Japanese origami artists and is considered the father of modern origami because of his creative use of the medium.

He was also instrumental in developing a set of terms and symbols that are used worldwide in the instruction of origami. Interest in origami continues to increase, even today. A quick search on www.youtube.com is evidence of this.

More Origami Ideas....

Where did origami originate from?
The very early history of origami remains speculative, however it is believed that its origin during the seventh century followed the introduction of paper making in Japan by China. Early folding techniques developed by the Chinese were adopted as well.

Folding letters and other practical items from paper was the goal at the time. It wasn’t until the Edo period, 1600 - 1868, that it developed into the art form we know today, propelled by the availability of inexpensive, mass produced paper. Folded objects changed from practical to the artistic, as creations took the shape of actual objects.

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