| Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, | | | | thousand paper cranes will have their heart's desire |
| might have actually originated in China. Papermaking | | | | come true. The origami crane has since become a |
| was developed in China and some of the oldest | | | | symbol of peace in Japan. |
| surviving examples of folding paper models are from | | | | In the 1920's and 30's, Joseph Albers began to create |
| there. | | | | spiral and curved shapes in his origami works. Later, |
| However, Japan embraced origami and, in most | | | | Akira Yoshizawa inspired the modern revival of the art |
| peoples' minds, the art is distinctly Japanese. In its | | | | using even more intricate designs and introducing new |
| traditional form, a square piece of paper is formed into | | | | techniques such as wet folding, so the origami paper |
| an endless variety of shapes, using a small number of | | | | holds its shape better. |
| different folds. Cutting and pasting are not part of the | | | | To show off the versatility and originality that can be |
| traditional practice. | | | | origami, every year for the past 30 years, the |
| Besides China, other countries have also taken up | | | | American Museum of Natural History in New York has |
| paper folding. In Spain and France, starting in the 16th | | | | erected a Christmas tree solely decorated with many |
| Century, documents, probably baptismal certificates, | | | | different origami shapes such as crabs, lobsters, birds, |
| were folded into little birds, known as "Pajarita" in Spain | | | | turtles and dinosaurs. It's truly amazing to behold! |
| and "Cocotte" in France. | | | | There are many books on origami available for |
| Origami designs can be simple hats or airplanes, or can | | | | beginners to those with more skill. One of the best is |
| be complex structures such as animals or buildings, | | | | "The Complete Book of Origami: Step-by-Step |
| which can take quite a while to fold. Sometimes the | | | | Instructions in over 1000 Diagrams with 37 Original |
| more complex shapes are made of foil rather than | | | | Models", by Robert Lang. |
| paper, since the foil can be folded more times, while | | | | The first part of this book is an excellent introduction |
| creating less bulk. | | | | into the basic skills needed to do origami. Each model is |
| Standard origami paper is generally a 6" (15 cm) | | | | designed to let you practice one skill several times. This |
| square. Standard folds are used to create bases, the | | | | book is a well know source of origami instructions. |
| most common of which are the kite, fish, bird and frog. | | | | You can also buy kits complete with illustrated |
| Once the base is shaped, other folds are added to | | | | instructions and the materials you need to get started. |
| create almost any shape. | | | | It is truly amazing what can be created from a simple |
| One of the most famous Japanese origami shapes is | | | | piece of paper. All but the youngest children can make |
| the crane. The Japanese consider the crane | | | | these miniature works of art. It is a craft worth |
| auspicious. Legend has it that anyone who folds a | | | | exploring. |