History of Origami

After papermaking was introduced to Japan from

the Asian continent at the beginning of the seventh
century (610), Japanese people developed a way to make a
type of thin, durable paper that became known as washi.
At first, it was used for official record-keeping and
Buddhist religious writings, but washi came to be used in
Shinto religious rituals as well, and it became customary
to wrap offerings to the gods and many other things, in
paper. Knowledge of the art of paper folding, known as
origata, was an essential skill of aristocrats and high
ranking warriors. The origins of origata can be traced
back to the Heian period (794–1185), when several styles of
wrapping were developed, including that for poetry,
money, and fans. Eventually people began to focus on
particular ways to fold paper when wrapping gifts or
offerings, and they developed formal folded ornaments to
make the wrapping more attractive.

Mass production of paper increased during the Edo

period (1603-1867), making it easier for more and more

people to enjoy origami. The world's oldest book on
origami, published in 1797, is titled Hiden Senbazuru
Orikata (How to Fold a Thousand Cranes). There is a

traditional story in Japan that says if a person folds 1,000
paper cranes, they will be granted one special wish. This
book was about cultural customs that included poetry

and a series of instructions, like how to fold a paper
crane. In 1880, the craft became known as origami, a
recreational form of origata. During the Meiji period

(1868-1912) origami was taught in kindergarten, as well as

in elementary school arts and drawing classes, and

became increasingly popular. Origami is now popular all

over the world, and many groups of origami fans

enthusiastically practice this craft.

From Hiden Senbazuru Orikata (1797)

Kikuchi Fujiwara no
Takehide, 1697 (from

The MET)

Your Turn!

Crane

Dog

(beginner)

(intermediate)

Soldier’s Helmet

(beginner)

Try any of these or find your own!

HELPFUL HINTS:

1. Fold each

crease very well.

2. Follow the
instructions.

3. Be patient.

4. Have fun!

Variations

Butterfly/Sailboat

Each of the Variation pages introduces

you to a set of objects that are made
with the same steps for part of the

way, and then are completed

differently.

Goldfish (Soldier’s

Helmet)

*this guy is
considered
advanced!

Try any of these or find your own!

HELPFUL HINTS:

1. Fold each crease

very well.

2. Follow the
instructions.

3. Be patient.

4. Have fun!

Origami came to Japan thanks to
Buddhist monks

Folding 1,000 paper cranes is
believed to fulfill wishes

Origami is big in Spain

November 11th is Origami Day

The modern popularization of
origami is largely attributed to
Akira Yoshizawa, who is credited
with tens of thousands of original
designs.

Did you know?