How to Make Japanese Origami

From LoveToKnow Origami

Mastering basic folds is the first step in learning how to make Japanese origami. From traditional cranes to fortune-tellers to samurai helmets, origami is an ancient art that continues to innovate while preserving its past.

The Origin of Origami

Origami's origins are often attributed to China, where paper was invented. However, some historians dispute this, noting that no real evidence exists to confirm the theory. For those who believe China was the originator however, the timeline follows that paper folding made its way to Japan by the 6th century.

At the time, it was a pastime reserved for the wealthy and aristocratic. Given the scarcity of paper, only the privileged few could afford to use the material in such a way. However, by the 15th century, paper was common enough to invite everyone to practice origami. The fact that origami is a Japanese word also suggests that the most far-reaching contributions to the art came from Japan.

Oru-Kami

Indeed, the word "origami" is based on two Japanese words: oru, which means, "to fold" and kami, which is "paper." Today, the world uses the term to describe geometric paper folding. Learning how to make Japanese origami is literally, learning how to fold paper based on a basic set of folds and crease patterns.

Historian David Lister quotes master folder Joseph Wu: "Origami is a form of visual/sculptural representation that is defined primarily by the folding of the medium (usually paper)." This definition, written in 1999, describes origami through Time. From the second century to the Heian Period (785-1185) to the Edo Period (1600-1868) to modern day, origami remains very much the same.

Instructional: How to Make Japanese Origami

Remarkably, similar paper-folding models developed simultaneously around the world. In Europe for example, there is evidence of origami models as far back as the 8th century. The set of symbols used today for origami instruction? They were developed by grandmaster Akira Yoshizawa in the 1950s -- some 1300 years after origami was introduced in Japan.

In the 1960s, Sam Randlett and Robert Hardin devised terminology to go along with origami symbols. Thus, modern-day origami is a result of centuries of innovation and evolution, building upon a very basic set of rules. For instance looking at an orizuru (crane) diagram from the 1797 book Hiden Senbazuru Orikata, an origami folder today could easily follow along by just looking at the step-by-step tutorial.

Basic Folds and Creases

As noted, the key to learning Japanese origami is mastering folds and creases. Also, you should learn how to properly read origami instructions, which universally use the same [1] devised by Yoshizawa. For example:

  • A dash line means "valley fold"
  • A dash-dot-dash line means "mountain fold"
  • A solid line means "crease"

In origami, these are the basic folds you'll need to create models. From these folds, others naturally emerge, such as the kite base from the valley fold or the petal fold from a combination of one valley and two mountain folds.

As a beginner, the basic folds and bases one should learn include:

  • Valley fold
  • Mountain fold
  • Squash fold
  • Petal fold
  • Reverse fold
  • Crimp fold
  • Book fold
  • Sink fold
  • Pleat
  • Rabbit ear
  • Spread squash fold
  • Fold and unfold
  • Kite base
  • Diamond base
  • Bird base
  • Balloon base
  • Square (flower) base

What's more, when reading origami instructions, pay attention to the arrows, as they tell you which direction to fold the paper. Arrows also tell you when to "fold and unfold" or flip the model over.

Ancient Origami Models

The orizuru or traditional folded paper crane is the most well-known origami model. Requiring intermediate skill, the crane is a good model to try for anyone looking to graduate from the beginner level. Learning how to make Japanese origami takes patience, as well as attention to detail.

Look to the ancient models for Japanese origami. As said, paper folding developed in other parts of the world around the same time as origami's rise in Japan. Most of the ancient models however, like the crane, the fortune-teller, and iris, can be ascribed to Japanese origins. Other ancient models include the:

  • Helmet
  • Flapping bird
  • Frog
  • Boat
  • Balloon
  • Pinwheel
  • Dragon
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