Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. It is derived from two words ‘ori’ which means folding and ‘kami’ which means paper. It is a form of visual representation that is done primarily by folding paper. The main purpose of origami is to create various shapes using geometric folds and crease patterns with the help of gluing or cutting paper. Only small number of folds are used in origami but they can be combined in various ways to make elaborate designs.
History: Origami started soon after the invention of paper in by Cai Lun of the Eastern Han dynasty. It was in the 6th century that some Buddhist monks carried paper to Japan and origami is believed to have started in around the same time in Japan. It soon became significant during the Heian period of Japan. There was a custom of exchanging gifts known as ‘noshi’ or folded strips of paper by the Samurai warriors which were considered as good luck token. Origami butterflies came to be used during Shinto weddings to represent the bride and groom. It was only in the 1960s that the origami spread to the rest of the world. The first designs to spread were modular origami and then several movements including ‘kirikomi’.
Basic folds:
These are very simple, basic folds used in origami which you will master gradually after practice.
Valley fold:
When you fold the paper towards yourself, a valley fold is formed.
Mountain fold:
When you fold the paper away from yourself then, a mountain fold is formed.
Petal fold:
Petal folds are used in bird base. You can make a petal fold by lifting a point and bringing it upwards so that two edges of the point are placed together.
Rabbit Ear Fold:
You need to first prefold along the the three valley folds and then fold the two sides down to the baseline. Make a mountain fold by folding the top point to one side.
Squash Fold:
First prefold both sheets of paper along the mountan and valley folds. Then you need to open the model and fold one layer of paper along the valley fold and flatten using a mountain fold.
Inside reverse fold:
Repeat the first step of the squash fold and then open the model andbring the top point down so that the mountain fold edge becomes a valley foldedge.
Outside Reverse fold:
Unlike inside reverse fold, here you have to wrap the layers around the outside point.
Crimp fold:
In this fold you need to incorporate two reverse folds to change the direction of a flap or point.
Sink fold:
The main purpose of this fold is to blunt a point so that there are no open edges.The fold should be first precreased and then the model should be flattenedalong the existing crease.
Base figures
There are fivebase figures.
- Preliminary Base: Starting from preliminary base, you can create birdbase and chicken.
- Bird base: Traditional crane, flopping bird, simple flower and extended flower can be made from Birdbase.
- Extended birdbase: You can make simple star, an extended star, windmill and snow flake from extended base.
- Water bomb Base: A fish and a flower can be made out of a waterbomb base.
- Fishbase: Based on a fishbase, you can make a seal.
Educational importance of Origami:
Origami is not only an art but improves certain key skills in a student like:
- Behavioral Skills: It improves the behavioral skills in a student since to succeed in origami one must listen carefully to the instructions and watch his or teacher closely.
- Cooperative Learning: Students of various age groups can learn the art of paper folding together.
- Linking it with Mathematics: Since most shapes are geometric shapes, origami gives one an informal math lesson.
- Cognitive development: Motor skills are developed if you practice origami.
Community building: Many students can take part in origami at the sametime and make it into a thematic activity.