Let Your Imagination Run Wild in the World of Origami | Web Japan (2024)

Let Your Imagination Run Wild in the World of Origami | Web Japan (1)

Have you ever heard of origami? Origami is a Japanese pastime of making animals, flowers, and many other things simply by folding paper. This activity requires you to think carefully and work nimbly with your fingers as you concentrate on precise actions, focusing on the part of the paper to fold in order to make the final product that you desire. As such, origami is said to have an effect of training people's brains. In the present day, more and more people across the world enjoy the traditional Japanese amusem*nt of origami.

Traditional Origami in Japan

Methods for making paper were brought from China to Japan in the 7th century. After that, people in Japan refined new techniques to produce a type of paper called “Washi” that is thin, yet durable. People in Japan used Washi to wrap offerings to the gods. Around this time, some noticed that Washi folded in a beautiful way. As such, a wide variety of customs were developed about 600 years ago to decorate the wrapping by making elegant folds. After this new development, people from about 200 years ago began to enjoy origami as a fun activity, focusing on the actual methods of folding rather than traditional customs. In the present day, children in Japan learn how to make origami creations at school, and enjoy making a wide range of objects.

Let Your Imagination Run Wild in the World of Origami | Web Japan (2)
Let Your Imagination Run Wild in the World of Origami | Web Japan (3)

The most famous origami model is called the “Orizuru”, and represents a crane. Cranes have long lifespans, and have been familiar to Japanese people as a lucky animal since ancient times. Cranes are characterized by their long necks and beaks. The Orizuru also features a long neck and beak, as well as large wings.

Having Fun With Origami

Origami is an enjoyable activity where you make animals, flowers, and many other things by folding paper. With origami, you work with your imagination to create things by only making folds in the paper. What sort of shapes can you make with just folded paper? Part of the fun in origami is to tackle this challenge.
Note: Some models may involve cutting the paper with scissors, or sticking sheets of paper together with glue.

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The two most basic folding techniques in origami are “Yama-ori” and “Tani-ori”. “Yama-ori” means to fold the paper so that the crease faces outward like a mountain. “Tani-ori” means to fold the paper so that the crease faces inward like a valley. You can produce many different kinds of shapes by combining these two folding techniques. In order to make a beautiful figure, it is crucial to make the folds accurately. It can be surprisingly difficult to arrange the folds neatly, and you may find the final product to be less pretty than you expected. This aspect of origami is hard to master, but it is also part of the fun.

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Origami paper comes in a variety of colors, and it is exciting just to look at them. Some origami paper features traditional Japanese patterns. It is fun to let your imagination run wild as you think about what color to use and what kind of model to make with it.

The Fun World of Origami

Many people enjoy origami even in the present day. There are many new origami creations being invented today, beside traditional models like the Orizuru.

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If make an elephant, a giraffe, a zebra, and other origami animals and bring them together, you can get a lively arrangement that looks just like a real zoo. Each animal’s characteristics can be seen in the models: the elephant has a long trunk, and the giraffe has a long neck and legs.

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You can even make a hamburger set meal with origami! It looks delicious—just like the real thing.

Let Your Imagination Run Wild in the World of Origami | Web Japan (9)

You can instantly transform your origami creation into a new character by drawing a face on it. Why not make your very own origami characters together with your friends? You are sure to have a great time.

Origami Classes are Popular with Kids

Japan has origami classes, where origami experts teach people how to make models. An origami museum in Japan holds classes on a regular basis, which are a big hit among kids.

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Mr. Katsuhiro Sonta is an origami expert, and specializes in forming letters with origami. He teaches classes on how to use rectangular sheets of paper to make creations. Origami is usually made with square sheets of paper, so it is unusual to use paper shaped like this. All the students in the class focused hard in making difficult models. Before working to build their creations, students needed to draw up blueprints by themselves in order to plan out how to make the folds. They were truly delighted after successfully creating these challenging models.

Origami allows you to use your imagination to make anything you want, and is enjoyed by kids and grown-ups alike. What would you like to make using just one sheet of paper?

The following website shows examples of origami figures and explains how to make them:
https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/origami2/exploring01.html

Let Your Imagination Run Wild in the World of Origami | Web Japan (2024)

FAQs

What is the Japanese tradition of origami? ›

Origami dates back to the seventh century, when the art of making paper reached Japan from China. Folded paper creations first appeared as part of Shintō rituals to wrap offerings to the gods. Ornamental designs are still used today, including for gift envelopes at weddings.

What is the most famous Japanese origami? ›

The most famous origami model is called the “Orizuru”, and represents a crane. Cranes have long lifespans, and have been familiar to Japanese people as a lucky animal since ancient times.

What does the origami symbolize? ›

In Japanese culture, origami is usually modeled after figures from the natural world such as animals and plants. The origami crane is perhaps one of the most recognized and symbolizes hope, healing and good fortune. In the 1950s, origami became popular in the United States, finding its way into pop culture.

What does ori in the word origami mean? ›

The Japanese word "origami" comes from two smaller Japanese words. Ori, which means to fold, and kami, which means paper.

What is the Japanese origami myth? ›

According to one senbazuru legend (senbazuru literally means “one thousand cranes”) whoever folds one thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish. Throughout Japan, the story of 12-year-old Sadako Sasaki perhaps best epitomizes the senbazuru legend.

What is the Japanese legend promise about origami? ›

An ancient Japanese legend promises that when you fold a thousand origami cranes, you will be granted a wish by the sacred crane. In more recent years, the crane has become a symbol of peace, hope, and healing during challenging times.

What is the purpose of origami? ›

What is the purpose of making origami? The purpose of making origami was originally for the decoration of temples and shrines. Today, it is considered a craft or an art form. It can also be used as a fun activity to learn about geometry.

What is the difference between Japanese and Chinese origami? ›

Traditional Chinese paper folding concentrates mainly on objects like boats or hats rather than the animals and flowers of Japanese origami. A recent innovation is from the Golden Venture migrants where large representational objects are made from modular forms.

What is the world's most advanced origami? ›

Ryu-zin 3.5 is widely regarded as the one of most intricate origami pieces ever created.

Is origami good or bad for you? ›

It can help reduce stress, improve hand-eye coordination, boost creativity, enhance patience and persistence, and promote learning and education. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, making origami is an excellent way to improve your mental and physical health while having fun and creating beautiful art.

What does the fox mean in origami? ›

Even the name fox in western culture tends to suggest something devious and clever. If you've been outwitted, you've also been outfoxed. In origami culture, the fox or kitsune tends to symbolize the same, with a special emphasis on the animal's intelligence.

What origami is a symbol of love? ›

In Japan, the paper crane is a symbol of peace, love, hope, and healing. Paper cranes are often given to someone to wish them well, especially during challenging times.

What does origami mean to Japan? ›

The origin of origami is linked to Zen culture, and the practice of origami can be considered a form of meditation in some cases. Today, origami skills are passed on from parents to children at home and also taught in kindergarten. So, most Japanese people know how to fold one thing in origami.

Is Ori a girl? ›

Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition

Is Ori a boy or girl? Just wondering. Ori's gender is undefined. It is up to you if you call Ori he or she.

What is the best known Japanese origami? ›

The best-known origami model is the Japanese paper crane. In general, these designs begin with a square sheet of paper whose sides may be of different colors, prints, or patterns.

What is the purpose of the origami? ›

What is the purpose of making origami? The purpose of making origami was originally for the decoration of temples and shrines. Today, it is considered a craft or an art form. It can also be used as a fun activity to learn about geometry.

What is the Japanese origami wedding tradition? ›

Traditionally, the father of the bride gives sen bazaar, 1,000 origami cranes, to use as wedding décor. The lucky birds make a gorgeous ceremony marker on tree limbs, or you could also turn a smaller group into place cards, with the guest's name on one wing and the table assignment on the other.

What does the Japanese paper bird origami mean? ›

The Origami Crane (TSURU): Symbolism and Folklore

A Symbol of Hope and Peace. The paper crane became a symbol of hope and peace through the story of a little Japanese girl. Sadako Sasaki was exposed to radiation as an infant when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II.

What is the Japanese origami for good luck? ›

Origami cranes have also long been significant in Japanese culture. There's a traditional belief that anyone who can fold and string together 1,000 origami cranes will have eternal good luck, and all of their wishes will be granted by the gods.

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