Origami was introduced to Japan around the 6th century from China. At that time, besides writing, paper was used to wrap offerings to the deities (salt, etc.). At a traditional wedding in Japan, the sake-bottle is decorated with male and female paper butterflies. It can be considered that paper was originally a material to be used in sacred rites.

Recently, among younger people, a wrapping boom has arisen and methods of gift-wrapping have also been devised. A variegated development such as from "folding, wrapping, tying" to "folding up, stacking, etc." has taken place.

The history of Japanese origami first started during the end of the Heian period (794-1192) when Kiyosuke of the Fujiwara family folded paper into the shape of a frog. During the Kamakura period (1192-1333) when nobles bestowed swords, etc., there was a custom of attaching an origami on the list of contents. Even today, the words "origami attached" remain which signifies historical or pedigree guarantee. Later during the Muromachi period (1338-1573) paper folding became one of the skills to be learned for good manners (etiquette) and developed into the Ogasawara school, Ise school and Saga school.

On the other hand, when the material called paper became easy to obtain during the Yedo period (1603-1867), origami spread through the populace as a plaything of the masses. In the story "A Generation of an Amorous Fellow" written by Saikaku Ihara (1642-1693), a scene of paper folding is depicted. Even at present, when a prayer is offered "a thousand cranes" are folded. This endearing custom has been carried for ages.

A few years ago, n American television station took up the theme of "Origami". "Sake (Japanese wine)" and "Matsuri (Festivals)" as representative of Japanese culture and the writer supplied information on origami. Reviewing the videotape sent me, the opening scene of "Origami" showed an employee at the sales booth of a department store skillfully rolling and wrapping up a round can of biscuits. It seems that everyday wrapping is seen by foreigners as part of the origami genre.

A certain Frenchmen who wrote in a handbook of origami gave as examples, ceremonial envelopes, written oracles, fans, wrapping of powdered medicine, kimonos and the obis (sashes), In these Japanese acts of folding, folding up, tying, stacking, etc., there is multi-coloured beauty and sureness of hand work.

I have always felt that as a Japanese it is a pity to leave traditional aesthetic sense asleep which was born naively and naturally from the long history in which we are living. Not only as a hobby, the action taken in folding a sheet of paper and making it into a three dimension figure has educational effect which foster concentration, creativity and the feeling of discipline. It is recognised that the movement of the fingertips has such medical effects as stimulation of the brain, helping its development and the prevention of senility. Thus, origami is currently encouraged in the educational field and at rehabilitation centres and has been proved to be effective. Also in geometry and the aeronautical field of computer graphics, I hear that old and new origami is an object of research.

Before, Japanese children learned origami at home or at school and enjoyed themselves making simple and complex origami. With the times, play has changed and origami has been discarded as educational material and not many children make origami any more. On the other hand, ironically, attention has been paid by schools in Europe and U.S.A., Mexico, New Zealand, etc. where lessons and lectures have been held and origami artists and enthusiasts are increasing throughout the world.

Japan has a unique paper called Washi, which is thin and strong. The fact is the origin of the word "origami" which is now in common use throughout the world. Paper made from vegetation breath and lives. I believe that to become intimate with origami is the same as directly touching and conversing with the origin of our great nature.

Origami transcends time, disregards location, can be made by both adults and children and in spite of a language barrier, with only one piece of paper, one can share the joy with the people of the world by creating a form with one's fingertips. Origami may be made with any kind of paper lying around you but I wish you would see with your own eyes, feel with your own hands and challenge the traditional industrial art product, Washi the softness and the strength of its delicate texture, its abundant variety and beautiful differing colours. Washi should take you to an endless world. Origami which has been inherited by us, is, in my perception, the most peaceful of pastimes.