Origami

Origami is the specialized art and technique of folding paper.

The term itself is a compound of two Japanese words. "Ori" comes from the verb "oru," which means to fold. "Kami" is the Japanese word for paper. Through this process, a person transforms a flat, square sheet into a three-dimensional sculpture.

While the name has Japanese roots, the practice of folding is universal. Its exact origins remain unknown to historians. Today, the concept has even expanded beyond paper. Scientists use the term to describe folded biological structures like DNA. Engineers also apply origami principles to create medical stents and advanced packaging.

Modern origami practitioners follow specific technical rules to achieve their results. Most folders aim to create complex models using only folding and sculpting techniques. They generally discourage using cuts, glue, or markings on the paper. When a design requires cuts, folders often use a different term to distinguish it. The process usually begins with a single square sheet of paper. These sheets might feature different colors on each side or various patterns. By combining a small number of basic folds, a folder can build incredibly intricate designs.

In Japan, the practice is divided into two distinct categories. The first is ceremonial origami, known as "origata."

This stylized form is used for religious ceremonies and formal etiquette. For example, folded paper is used for decorations like "gohei," "ōnusa," and "shide" at Shinto shrines. During the Muromachi period, from the 1300s to the 1400s, specific clans developed rules for folding paper for gifts. These ceremonial shapes are often geometric. Some examples include "noshi" for weddings or paper butterflies for sake vessels. The second category is recreational origami, or "yūgi origami." This form focuses on creating models that imitate living things and real objects.

History shows that different folding traditions grew separately across the globe. In Europe, a major tradition involved complex napkin folding during the 17th and 18th centuries. This practice declined when porcelain became a status symbol for the nobility. However, German ideas about folding later influenced the world through the "Kindergarten" method of Friedrich Fröbel. In Japan, recreational origami was likely practiced as early as the Sengoku period. The most significant historical milestone was the 1797 publication of "Hiden senbazuru orikata."

This was the first known technical book for recreational origami. It featured 49 designs created by a Buddhist monk named Gidō. These models were much more advanced than anything seen before them.

The legacy of Gidō remains highly significant in Japan today. His work was so skilled that Kuwana City designated 49 of his methods as Intangible Cultural Properties in 1976. The city even certifies experts who possess deep knowledge of these specific folding methods.

Another major shift occurred in the 1860s when Japan opened its borders. During this time, Japan imported the German Kindergarten system. This influenced modern origami by introducing the use of bicolored square paper. It also helped establish the modern rule against cutting the paper. This fusion of Japanese and European ideas created the global style used today.

In the 20th century, several innovators sparked a massive renaissance for the art. Akira Yoshizawa was a key figure who created new techniques like "wet-folding." He also developed the Yoshizawa–Randlett diagramming system to communicate designs.

In the 1980s, folders began using mathematics to study the properties of folded forms. This led to a rapid increase in model complexity. Modern artists now use computational mathematics to develop "new origami." This includes advanced techniques such as "box-pleating," "tessellations," and "wet-folding." These methods allow for much more detailed and mathematically precise sculptures.

Today, origami connects the world of art with the world of science and math.

The study of how matter behaves when folded is a growing field of interest. Artists like Robert J. Lang and Erik Demaine are famous for advancing these new applications. The ability to share new designs through social networks has raised the profile of origami globally. Whether it is a simple paper crane or a complex engineering tool, origami demonstrates the power of transforming a simple material through precise, intentional movement.