Origami is a Japanese word and is universally adopted. It is important to note that origami is not exclusively a Japanese art. It has also developed independently in other parts of the world.
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Origami,
the Japanese art of folding paper (Jap. oru, to fold, kami,
paper.)
Origami is a Japanese word and is universally adopted. It is important to note that origami is not exclusively a Japanese art. It has also developed independently in other parts of the world. |
The problem with origami is that it is often perceived as a childish pastime since adults are rarely seen doing it. In fact, origami is rated on the same level as other art and sculpture. In Japan an origami master is very highly regarded, even as a national treasure. It is not uncommon in Europe and USA to have origami displayed in museums alongside other art and sculpture.
I hope this article will clear up some wrong pre-conceived ideas.
Paper making was
believed to have been discovered by a Chinese court official Tsai Lun around
AD 100 in China. Prior to this papyrus first discovered by the Egyptians
was also used as a writing material but this would not be considered just
as we will not consider stones, wood or other materials that does not closely
resemble the paper we used today for folding. Thus making the Chinese to
be the first to fold paper. The main tradition of Chinese paper folding
appears to be found within the tradition of ceremonies, funerals and prayers
to the Gods.
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At the start of the 7th Century, Buddhist monks brought paper made from the mulberry tree to Japan. In Japan during the Heian period (794 - 1185) is when the earliest evidence of paper folding such as the Noshi was found where it was used for ceremonial purposes. The Kamakura period (1185 - 1333), paper continued to be used for ceremonies. 'Modern' origami was believed to have started during the Muromachi period (1333 - 1573). By the Edo period (1603 - 1867), paper folding has become a popular pastime in Japan. The traditional crane was believed to have been created during this period. Around 1850, one of the most famous books mentioning origami, Kan-no-mado was published. Origami continued during the Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) into the Taisho Period (1912 - today). The reorganisation of origami as a creative art in Japan was through the efforts of Isao Honda. Akira Yoshizawa has been the dominating genius for many years. |
| Back to history, the art of paper making spread westwards following the caravan routes. It reached Egypt in the 10th Century and in the 12th Century, the Moors brought paper-making into Spain. The most ancient Spanish model is the Pajarita (sparrow), believe to originate prior to 16th Century. Even after the Moors were expelled in 1492, paper folding survived in Spain, to be revived by Miguel de Unamuno (1864 - 1936). |  |
In Japan where there is a long period of peace and stability, arts and culture was able to develop and origami along with it, and it has become part of the Japanese culture.
This proliferation of origami books and rapid advancement of origami knowledge would not have been possible without the efforts of dedicated men like Akira Yoshizawa, Robert Harbin, Alfred Bestall (author of Rupert books), Isao Honda, Toshie Takahama and many others, and dedicated women like Lillian Oppenheimer, Alice Gray and others.
Akira Yoshizawa, the Japanese genius, or sensei (master) was the one who came up with the standards used today to document the folding steps. Robert Harbin popularised his standards and others adopted it. This has lead to the ability to pass the knowledge in print. This knowledge was acquired, passed along and developed further. Besides Japan, the countries dominating the origami scene include USA, England and Spain, all led by dedicated men.
Currently there are other origami masters all over the world. In England, we have David Brill, Nick Robinson, Paul Jackson, Dave Petty, in USA, there is John Montroll, Robert Lang, Stephen Weiss, Peter Engel, in Japan, other well known ones include Yoshide Momotani, Kunihiko Kasahara, Jun Maekawa, Toyoaki Kawai, Tomoko Fuse, Fumiaki Kawahata, in Spain, there is Vincente Palacios and there are too many to mention all of them.
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In Singapore, we too have a well known creator who is internationally known. He is Francis Ow, the author of the book Origami Hearts, published by Japan Publications. His work has been used in books published by other authors and used to be taught at international origami conventions, publications and newsletters. Other Singaporeans who has origami books published under his name include Edwin Ee, author of Jurassic Origami and Sebastian Kong who is no longer actively folding. |
The informal origami group that I belonged to started in 1981 when I joined The British Origami Society although my interest in origami started around 1968. Upon joining, I checked and found Francis Ow, another fellow member. Together we held our first origami exhibition at Tiong Bahru Community Centre. Due to the publicity, a number of others with similar interest joined us and we later held demonstrations and exhibitions at Bukit Merah Library, at Marine Parade Library and a number of other places.
At that time, there
were not many origami books and materials available and we had to order
them from overseas. Through this contact we approach the manager of Kinokuniya,
Mori-san. He was willing to order origami books for us. This was helpful
especially after the closure of the other Japanese bookstore, Yajimaya
in Singapura Plaza. It is though Kinokuniya that more and more origami
books were brought into Singapore. We also approach the manager of the
stationery section of Kinokuniya and were able to persuade her to bring
in origami papers and the various kinds of Japanese papers not seen in
Singapore during that time. We approached the People's Association, designed
an origami course and got it started in community centres.
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Currently our informal
group has about 8 to 10 members and our last activity was at the Sakuran
Cultural Club, a Japanese Cultural Club at Nanyang Polytechnic. We have
also participated in a number of Hobby Craft fairs held by the People's
Association.
You can take a look
at this activity at via this link: http://www.origami.aaanet.ru/info/news/ori_sg.htm
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We hope to get more and more people to join us in this wonderful pastime.
Francis Ow's website at: http://web.singnet.com.sg/~owrigami/
A website dedicated to the works of Ronald Koh at: http://www.origami.aaanet.ru/g_room/koh/g_koh.htm
Origami has many techniques and there are names to it such as valley fold, mountain fold, reverse fold, creasing, crimp, squash fold, sinking, pleating and even more complicated ones like box pleating and twist folding.
Models can be simple and easy to fold like those coming from Japan. It should be noted that the Japanese can come up with very complicated models like the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus or a Triceratops. Complicated folding, that is, folding for example an animal or an insect with all its appendages intact usually come from countries like USA.
Origami models can come from one piece of paper or from many pieces of paper. One piece model are generally more complicated and require a large piece of paper to start from. Compound models made from more than one piece of paper are usually less complicated as each piece of paper concentrate on a certain aspect of the model. Gluing is usually required. Some models require cutting. Die hard fans of pure origami frown upon gluing and cutting.
It is also possible to divide origami informally as follows: folding animals (including fishes, insects, birds), geometric folding, modular origami, folding faces, folding human figures, folding toys, folding masks, folding using dollar bills, folding dinosaurs, folding boxes, etc. You can also classify origami by the basic units or bases from which the origami model arises such as traditional bases like the bird base, frog base, waterbomb base and others. New bases are being created every day and myriad of models sprang from such starting points.
Origami can be compared to music. Some enjoy music just like some enjoy origami. Some pick up a musical instrument and play them just like an origami enthusiast who folds them. Lastly there are the composers who compose the music and the origami masters who create models.
* psychologist as
an aid to therapy, in treating drug addiction, with handicapped, with prisoners,
in mental health out-patient department, used in schools and hospitals
and conduct research
* occupational
therapists in occupational therapy department (psychiatric), in helping
physical handicap in child special education, in rehabilitation of patients,
in helping elderly
* doctors in rehabilitation
of hands after surgery, in group therapy, helping children with anxiety
and mood disorders
* nurses in rehabilitation
of orthopaedic cases, in helping patients in psychiatric hospitals, in
helping patients during convalescence and students of mental retardation
school
* teachers on clients
with disabilities, helping students and in teaching
* speech therapist
in speech therapy
* and others for
helping an autistic boy with depression, in helping a girl with injured
hearing and helping blind children with stress and aggression
* Conveys the feeling
of acceptance when you take time to demonstrate or teach origami
* Promotes the
feeling of being connected when the client realised self as part of a group
* Staff doing origami
presents an approachable image because this activity can pause anytime
for more urgent intervention
* Confirms the
staff's availability as the client can choose the right time to voice his
problem when he feels ready.
Origami sessions can encourage desirable behaviours, e.g.
* Use positive social
interaction
* Use problem-solving
approach
* Be patient
* Promote creativity
* To develop a
hobby
* To involve in
activity
* To share feelings
and knowledge
Origami sessions can facilitate
* Learning experience
* Problem solving
experience
* Communication
experience
* Goal setting
experience
* Opportunity for
fun & relaxation
* Opportunity to
receive feedback and positive reinforcement
Other possibilities in Origami sessions
* Used as a bridging
therapy
* Used as an relaxation
before other therapies
* Used as an non-threatening
approach
* Used as an ice
breaker
* Paper Folding
as a way to demonstrate mathematical ideas
To use paper folding to demonstrate mathematical ideas has the following advantages:
* A novel approach
awakens enthusiasm
* Several geometric
processes are much more effectively demonstrated
* Prepares students
for an appreciation in science and art
* Makes the student
physically aware of the ideas
* Easier to demonstrate
properties in objects and mathematical principles encountered in mathematics
* A participatory
approach encourage better understanding and retention
I use it mainly
as an icebreaker whether with strangers or children and as a form of relaxation
for myself.
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