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Origami

Origami is an art of paper folding (折り紙, Japanese 'ori', to fold, and 'kami', paper). Origami only uses a small number of different folds, but they can be combined in an infinite variety of ways to make extremely intricate designs. In general, these designs begin with a square sheet of paper, whose sides may be different colors, and proceed without cutting the paper. Contrary to popular belief, traditional Japanese origami, which has been practiced since the Edo era (1603-1867), has often been less strict about these conventions, sometimes cutting the paper during the creation of the design or starting with a rectangular, circular, or other non-square sheet of paper.
The origin of Japanese origami is probably the ceremonial paper folding, such as noshi, which started in Muromachi era (1392-1573). That of European origami, represented by a little bird (Pajarita in Spanish or Cocotte in French), is probably the baptismal certificate of 16th century.
An origami design can be as simple as a party hat or paper airplane, or as complex as a model of the Eiffel Tower, a leaping gazelle or a stegosaurus that takes an hour and a half to fold. Sometimes the most complex origami models are folded from foil instead of paper, because it allows more layers before becoming impractically thick. The Japanese do not see origami as an art form, but rather as an integrated part of their culture and tradition.
The work of Akira Yoshizawa of Japan, a prolific creator of origami designs and writer of books on origami, inspired a modern renaissance of the craft. Modern origami has attracted a worldwide following, with ever more intricate designs and new techniques such as 'wet-folding,' the practice of dampening the paper somewhat during folding to allow the finished product to hold shape better, and variations such as modular origami, where many origami units are assembled to form an often decorative whole.

One of the most famous origami designs is the Japanese crane. The crane is auspicious in Japanese. Japan has launched a satellite named tzuru (crane). Legend says that anyone who folds one thousand paper cranes will have their heart's desire come true. The origami crane has become a symbol of peace because of this legend, and because of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki. Sadako was exposed to the radiation of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as an infant, and it took its inevitable toll on her health. She was then, a hibakusha -- an atom bomb survivor. By the time she was twelve in 1955, she was dying of leukemia. Hearing the legend, she decided to fold 1,000 cranes so that she could live. She folded 644 before she died. Her classmates folded the remaining number and she was buried with a wreath of 1,000 cranes. While her effort could not extend her life, it moved her friends to make a granite statue of Sadako in the Hiroshima Peace Park: a young girl standing with her hand outstretched, a paper crane flying from her fingertips. Every year the statue is adorned with thousands of wreaths of a thousand origami cranes (折鶴 oridzuru in Japanese)
The tale of Sadako has been dramatized in many books and movies. In one version, Sadako wrote a haiku that translates into English as:
- I shall write peace upon your wings, and you shall fly around the world so that children will no longer have to die this way.
In another version, Sadako died before she could complete her task, and her classmates folded the remaining number so that she could be buried with 1,000 cranes.
Basic instructions
Most origami folds can be broken down into simpler steps. A list of techniques is accumulating in the origami tech tree.
Mathematics of Origami
The practice and study of origami encapsulates several subjects of mathematical interest. For instance, the problem of flat-foldability (whether an origami model can be flattened) has been a topic of considerable mathematical study. See Mathematics of origami.
Variations
Authors
- Makoto Yamaguchi
- Akira Yoshizawa - created the modern repertoire of folding symbols
- Tomoko Fusé - famous for boxes and unit origami
- Peter Engel - influential origami artist and theorist
- John Montroll - one of the most prolific Western artists
- Kunihiko Kasahara - devised a standardized method for creating any polyhedron
- Robert Harbin - popularised origami in Britain
External links
Further reading
- One Thousand Paper Cranes: The Story of Sadako and the Children's Peace Statue by Takayuki Ishii, ISBN 0440228433
- Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, ISBN 0698118022
- Origami 1, Robert Harbin, 1969, ISBN 0340109025
- Origami 2, Robert Harbin, ISBN 0340153849
- Origami 3, Robert Harbin, 1972, ISBN 034016655X
- Origami 4, Robert Harbin, 1977, ISBN ? (rare)
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origami.com Gallery, convention pictures, diagrams, and a shockwave diagram. Searchable databases of origami enthusiasts, submitted diagrams, models that are in books, and a mailing list archive. http://www.origami.com/
World Peace Project for Children The world's largest crane, diagram for the traditional crane, and other information relating to the story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. http://www.sadako.org/
Online Origami Archive of the now defunct e-zine. Origami story, diagram, and links and information on organizations. http://members.aol.com/stamm/index.html
Origami Gallery by Sebastian Kirsch Photographs of various completed models: animals, masks, geometric shapes, oversized folds, and tessellations. http://sites.inka.de/moebius/origami/
Sprite!'s Origami Illustrated instructions on folding the traditional crane, and some book reviews. http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~sprite/Origami/origami.html
Joseph Wu's Origami Gallery of original works and models by others. Includes articles and original diagrams as well as a database of online models and links. http://www.origami.as/
Origami Crease Patterns Information, tutorials, models, photographs, and links. Including models folded by Ben Ball. http://www.stanford.edu/~ballb/
OriLand Dozens of diagrammed models, some products for sale. http://www.oriland.com/
Hand Made Origami Gift Boxes Gift boxes hand made by folding paper or fabric using origami techniques. Searchable gallery. Includes instructions for preparing fabric for origami. http://www.origami-boxes.com/
Charles Esseltine's Origami Non-traditional patterns. http://www.geocities.com/origamiguy1971/main.html
Origami - the fascination of folding Homepage containing gif diagrams of complex origami models designed by Hans Trygve Birkeland, Norway. http://home.no.net/origami
Gilad's Origami Page Extensive galleries of my folded models, Origami book reviews, and some diagrams of my own creations. http://www.giladorigami.com
Toilegami This site has origami instructions for the toilet paper medium. The site features many pure origami designs, and some quasi-origami designs as well. http://www.toilegami.com
Gerard & Paula Origami pictures, diagrams, knotology (folding with strips of paper), guestroom, darkroom, links, convention pictures. http://home.wanadoo.nl/gerard.paula/origami/index.html
Search the Origami Model Database You can use the database to search for over 19'000 models, including detailed information about the model including author and book information. http://origamidatabase.users19.donhost.co.uk/
Sajid Khan's Origami Page Participate in the online origami forum, view the gallery and sign my guestbook. http://www.thekhans.me.uk/
Eileen's Origami Page Photo galleries of fantasy, scifi, and animal origami by various creators. Also a handful of diagrams of original models. http://128.253.200.103/origami/collection/index.html
Anne's Origami Information on MIT's origami mailing list, with archives. Also a list of books she owns, some with pictures, table of contents and reviews. http://web.mit.edu/lavin/www/origami/
Envelope and Letterfolding Definition, history, and diagrams on how to fold mailable letters and envelopes. http://www.ghh.com/elf/
paperfolding.com Diagrams, history, relationship with math, gallery, and book reviews with cover shots. http://www.paperfolding.com/
Jasper's Origami Menagerie A collection of diagrams and photos with a section dedicated to various types of animals. Includes a picture link index to diagrammed models on other websites. http://www.folds.net/
Edward Crankshaw: Origami Brief history, book list, and the 10 commandments of origami. http://fly.hiwaay.net/~ejcranks/origami.html
Robin Glynn's Origami Diagrams, gallery, links, and a brief history of how the author started. http://www.keme.net/~rglynn/
Anools-Origami Overview of the art and a gallery of personally folded items, including some very small models. Origami tools and related links. http://anools-origami.tripod.com/
Origami Models Diagrams created by Robert Salemink, along with a database of those from other sources. http://members.brabant.chello.nl/%7Ersalemink/origami/origami_e/index_e.html
Fabric Origami Workshop Introduction, techniques, diagrams, and pictures of fabric origami. Includes book reviews and links as well as FAQs and related news on the topic. http://www.fabricorigami.com/
Doug Philips' Origami Gallery of completed models and a review/listing of a few models found online and in books. http://www.pgh.net/~dwp/Origami.html
Matthias Gutfeldt: Alpenfalten Collection of diagrams and image galleries of original models as well as other designers. Includes book list and reviews, convention highlights, and related links. http://www.bboxbbs.ch/home/tanjit/english/index.htm
Dave's Origami Emporium Diagrams of traditional, modular, money, and original designs. Articles, book and software lists, and origami inspired ray-tracing. http://members.aol.com/ukpetd/
Lucky Stars Information and diagrams for the Chinese lucky star. Includes a gallery and links to other star sites. http://members.tripod.com/star_luck/
TP Kong's Origami Web Site Picture gallery of personal work, easy to follow diagrams, newly developed models. http://www.geocities.com/tp_kong/
Sy's Paper Folding Original models with photos and diagrams. http://users.erols.com/sychen1/pprfld.html
Marc Kirschenbaum's Origami Original model diagrams in PDF format. Contains articles and resources and related links. http://marckrsh.home.pipeline.com/
Origami and Mental Health Therapy This page is about the use of origami as a choice of therapeutic tool relating to mental health. Origami links to benefits, history and pictures also included. http://www.geocities.com/paper_folding/
Zack Brown's Origami The Origami For Your Information FAQ, Rod diagramming language, book errata and hints, and a list of origami organizations. http://lynx.dac.neu.edu/z/zbrown/origami/
Origami 4 You Resource lists for various origami related materials: paper, books, diagrams, and links. Also contains information on origami groups and publications. http://www.origami4you.co.uk
Jake's Origami Gallery Image gallery of animals, dinosaurs, sea life, fantasy, figures, and insects. http://home.earthlink.net/~jakecrowley/
Oribina Gallery of folded paper dolls, known as the art of Oribina. http://www.geocities.com/origamipl/oribina.htm
Kim Kofoed's origami page Pictures of thematic collages and origami boxes and kusudama ornaments for sale by email. http://www.geocities.com/kimkofoed/
Sarah's Origami Gallery of models she has folded, and reviews of books with cover shots. http://sarah.fredart.com/
Brooklyn Origami Center Diagrams of original models and brief information about origami. http://www.brooklynorigami.com
Creased.com - Origami Greeting Cards and Gifts Origami products: greeting cards, jewelry, books, ornaments, artwork, and paper (origami, chiyogami, and washi). Contains a brief history, definitions, diagrams and pictures of completed models. http://www.creased.com
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