Origami

Cranes made by Origami paper

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Hiroshima senzaburu

Hiden Senbazuru Orikata

Yamaneorigata

Origami Hyakkaku (One hundred cranes)

Origami (Japanese: 折り紙, from ori meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper" (kami changes to gami due to rendaku)) is the art of paper folding, which is often associated with Japanese culture. In modern usage, the word "origami" is used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin. The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques. Practitioners use just paper, without the aid of cuts or glue, to create intricate designs, ranging from simple folds to complex creations such as animals, birds, and architectural structures.

History

The practice of folding paper is thought to have originated in Japan in the 6th century when Buddhist monks introduced paper from China. Initially, it was used for religious ceremonial purposes, which gradually evolved into recreational folding, known today as origami. The earliest documented evidence of paper folding in Japan is a short poem by Ihara Saikaku from 1680, which describes a dream about paper butterflies.

Techniques

Origami techniques have evolved significantly over the centuries. Traditional origami involves the creation of designs from a single sheet of paper through various folding techniques without cutting the paper or using adhesive. Modern origami practitioners, known as "folders", often challenge themselves with complex patterns and the creation of new and intricate designs. Some of the basic folds include the valley fold, mountain fold, petal fold, and reverse fold. These basic folds are the foundation of most origami models. The combination of these folds allows for the creation of intricate designs.

Types of Origami

Origami can be divided into several categories based on techniques and materials used:

- Traditional Origami: Involves the creation of simple forms, such as animals and flowers, from a single piece of paper without cutting or gluing. - Modular Origami: Consists of putting together multiple units or modules formed from single pieces of paper to create a more complex structure. - Wet-Folding Origami: Introduced by Akira Yoshizawa, this technique involves slightly dampening the paper so that it can be molded more easily, allowing for the creation of curves and more sculptural models. - Pureland Origami: Created by John Smith, it restricts the folder to simple mountain and valley folds, aiming to make origami more accessible to beginners and those with limited dexterity. - Kirigami: Although not strictly origami, kirigami involves both folding and cutting paper to achieve the desired end product.

Cultural Significance

Origami is deeply embedded in Japanese culture and traditions. It has been used in various ceremonial and traditional contexts, such as the folding of Shide for Shinto ceremonies or the making of Senbazuru, a group of one thousand origami cranes tied together, symbolizing peace, health, and good fortune. Origami has also found applications in modern times, from educational tools to therapeutic practices and even in technological advancements, such as foldable structures in space satellites.

Origami in Education and Therapy

Origami is used as an educational tool to teach geometry, fractions, and problem-solving. It has been incorporated into mathematics education and art education curriculums around the world. Additionally, origami is used in therapeutic settings to help improve fine motor skills, concentration, and memory. It is also recognized for its calming and meditative effects, making it a popular practice for stress relief.

Modern Origami

Today, origami continues to evolve, with artists and mathematicians exploring the potential of paper folding. This includes the use of computational algorithms to create new designs and the exploration of folding techniques in materials science for real-world applications. The intersection of origami, mathematics, and technology has led to innovative solutions in areas such as airbag design, heart stent development, and deployable structures in space.