Learning Origami from Scratch: Part 1 - The History and origin of Origami

Origami is more than just an art form. It’s a fun, easy, and rewarding way to relax and express yourself; it's like meditation! All you need is a sheet of paper and a willingness to try something new.

You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy origami. In fact, you can join me on this channel as I learn origami from scratch. As a fellow beginner, I can relate to your challenges and questions better than someone who has been folding for years.

On this channel, we will explore the following topics and techniques step by step, and we will also share our feedback and ideas with each other.

1. History and origin of origami

2. Types of paper

3. Basic techniques and folds

4. Beginner-friendly projects and models showcase

5. Resources for learning more and advancing your skills

Today, we will first learn about the history and origin of origami.

You may have wondered why this art form is called "origami". After all, it’s just folding paper, right?

What Is "Origami"?

Origami is a traditional Japanese art form that involves folding paper into intricate shapes and figures. The word "origami" comes from the Japanese words "ori" (root verb "oru") meaning "folding" and "kami" meaning "paper" ( (kami changes to gami due to rendaku).

Origami v.s. Paper Folding

Paper folding and origami are similar in that they both involve folding paper to achieve a desired result. However, paper folding is usually done for a specific purpose while origami is an artistic expression. Traditional origami only allows for paper to be folded while paper folding can involve other alterations such as cutting or gluing.

The History and Origin of "Origami"

Tracing the history of paper folding is difficult because ancient examples have not survived. Origami's origins are uncertain but may lie in China. Paper folding likely followed the invention of paper by Cai Lun in 105 CE. Papermaking spread to Korea and Japan by Buddhist monks from China in the 6th century, where paper quality improved. For a thousand years, paper folding in Japan was mainly used for religious ceremonies due to the high cost of paper. However, during the Edo Period (1603-1868), local industry expansion led to an increase in paper production and availability, allowing origami to become a recreational activity. The earliest evidence of origami is a 1680 poem by Ihara Saikaku. The first instruction book was Akisato Rito’s Sembazuru orikata (1797).

In Europe, an independent paper-folding tradition emerged after paper was introduced in the 11th or 12th century, particularly in Spain and Germany. German educator Friedrich Froebel (1782–1852), founder of kindergarten, promoted paper folding for education. In 1880, his folds were introduced to Japan. German contributions continued with Waldorf and Bauhaus schools using origami for design training. When Japan adopted kindergartens during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), German rather than Japanese paper folding techniques were taught. As a result, modern Japanese origami combines both Japanese and European traditions.

Other figures in boosting the popularity of origami include Spanish author and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) in Spain, and Argentine physician and master folder Vicente Solórzano Sagredo (1883–1970) in South America, England Margaret Campbell (1912-1993), and British mathematician A.H. Stone (1916-2000).

After WWII, interest in origami grew in North America. American cultural critic and folklorist Gershon Legman (1917-1999) researched the subject and arranged an exhibition of Akira Yoshizawa's work. American origami pioneer Lillian Oppenheimer (1898-1992) popularized origami and founded the Origami Center of America. In the 1960s and 70s, American folders developed novel techniques. By the late 1980s, folders advanced techniques further. In the early 1990s, Robert Lang (1961-, American physicist who is also one of the foremost origami artists and theorists in the world) developed computer programs to assist in folding. Many origami societies exist worldwide, including the significant Japan Origami Academic Society.

Takeaways

Origami is the art of folding paper into intricate shapes and figures. It originated in Japan as a traditional craft, but its exact origins are unclear. Some historians believe that it may have started in China after papermaking was introduced to Japan in the 6th century. Germany and Spain also played an important role in spreading the popularity of origami around the world. The main features that distinguish origami from other forms of paper folding are that traditional origami is an artistic expression and does not involve any cuts or glue.

Stay tuned to this channel and don’t miss out on our upcoming posts! We will soon learn how to choose the right paper for origami projects.

This is a vital skill that will make your paper folding fun and easy. You will discover the different types of paper, their features, and how to pick the best one for your project. You will also get some tips on how to store and care for your origami paper. Are you excited to learn more? Let’s get ready!