| Origami (pronounced o-re'-ga'-me) is a Japanese term | | | | neighbors and travelers familiar with the art. Through |
| meaning simply, "to fold paper". But it's far more | | | | the past 18 centuries uncompromising origami masters |
| complex than a simple paper folding exercise. Origami | | | | have perfected seemingly impossible feats with this |
| is the art of folding paper into beautiful and intricate | | | | art. Some of the more well-known and more elegant |
| artistic shapes. And in its purist form, these shapes are | | | | origami figures include anatomically correct insects, |
| created without the use of scissors, tape or glue of | | | | waterfowl, mammals and even waterproof boxes. |
| any kind. | | | | Then in 1954, the first complete system of origami |
| The first evidence of the origami art dates back to | | | | diagram notation was written by Japanese Origami |
| second century (A.D.) China, and is now practiced | | | | master Akira Yoshizawa. This notation system for |
| worldwide by a popular following of students and | | | | origami folding instructions became extremely popular, |
| masters alike. One of the truly amazing things about | | | | and elevated the visibility of the origami art worldwide. |
| this ancient art form is that it survived for over 1,500 | | | | Today the popularity of the origami art has infected |
| years without any written instruction. During this period | | | | young and old alike. Children, parents and grandparents |
| the origami techniques and secrets were conveyed | | | | are anxiously learning the various origami techniques |
| strictly by word of mouth. | | | | and designs. Many of the techniques are amazingly |
| It wasn't until 1797 that the first written instructions | | | | simple and incredibly entertaining to watch. Allow |
| were published for the masses. Prior to this initial | | | | yourself the joy of surprising your family and friends |
| publication origami folding instructions were passed | | | | with your own origami artwork. This is something that |
| from generation to generation by family members, | | | | will keep the entire room spellbound for hours. |