History of Origami
The history of origami dates back to nearly the beginning of paper. Although its origin date is under debate, there is no doubt that origami has been and will likely continue to be a well-respected art from around the world.
Ancient History of Origami
One of the most difficult aspects of dating origami is that paper degrades. Scholars believe that paper came to be prior to 105 A.D. Some say it dates even farther back. It is likely that the history of origami starts about the same time. Historians do know that the Japanese first used paper during the sixth century. Origami is a Japanese art form. While the history of paper folding may date back before this period, the Japanese receive credit for using paper as a medium for art.
During this time, people considered paper a luxury item. It was expensive and was only available to the wealthy people. Because of its expense, paper folding was not necessary a fun hobby. Rather, people used origami as a way to honor another person. People considered origami creations to be treasured gifts, not trinkets. One form of gift is "noshi." Noshi was a folded paper creation given to people alongside another gift. The gift receiver considered the folded paper a token of good luck. When something valuable was a gift for someone, an origami tsuki was also a gift. This folded piece of paper was a gift as well as a certificate of authenticity to the receiver.
Documented History of Origami
Over time, paper folding moved from Asia through Europe. Most believe this happened due to the Silk Road. The craft was a lesson to those who journeyed from Asia throughout Europe. Between the eighth and the 12th century, paper folding was gaining popularity in Spain. However, throughout this entire time, there are no documents providing instructions to users, or they are not readily available.
The first documentation of paper folding was in 1797. This occurred in a book written by Senbazuru Orikata. The book, Folding of 1000 Cranes, provided instructions and pictures of paper folding techniques and creations. Another documentation of origami occurred in a series of books written by Kan No Mado. What is interesting about these books is that the books are mainly about Japanese customs. The author dedicated two sections within the book to paper folding.
The Word Origami
The origins of the word "origami" are also an important historical aspect of this ancient art form. The term itself did not originally refer to the paper creations that is does today. In ancient Japan, people used the term "origami" to refer to paper certificates. The term "origami tsuki," as described above, was an original term used to describe something that was certified or guaranteed.
The use of the term stems from tea ceremonies and other events in which a folded document went to someone. An example of this is a diploma given to a master of swordsmanship. The people folded the certificate or diploma itself into unique shapes and designs. This elevated the value of the document.
Learning About Origami
For those who would like to learn more on the history of origami, numerous resources are available. The talented origami artist, Lisa Shea, provides a thorough explanation of the history of this art form. At her website, LisaShea.com you will learn not only about origami's history but also the history of the crane. Another excellent resource is the book The Origami Bible written by David Brill. Not only does he explain the history of this art, but also how various creations came to be.
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