# Origami

An origami swan

**Origami** (折り紙) is the art and technique of folding paper. It also refers to the two- and three-dimensional forms created in the process. Although the word *origami* has Japanese roots, the practice itself is universal and its origin remains unknown. The use of the term has been extended in modern times to include other materials such as metal, textiles, and it is also used in the biological sciences to describe folded structures like DNA.

The term has been adopted in many countries, while in others, local vocabulary is preferred for recreational paper folding, such as *zhe zhi* in China, *jongi jeobgi* in Korea, and *papiroflexia* in Spain.

The object is made of origami paper, which is specially made for folding and staying in shape. Many dictionaries and television shows suggest that origami is only paper cranes, waterbombs, and paper planes, but many new models and creatures have been made because of new folding techniques.

Modern origami promotes the use of a single piece of paper, no cuts, no glue. A different kind of origami called *modular origami* uses many small pieces that are similar to each other, and then interlocked to form one large model. Also, many mathematical shapes can be made with origami.

## History

The beginnings of origami are not clear. Paperfolding started in China in the 1st or 2nd century. It arrived in Japan in the 6th century. Instead of making models that looked exactly like things, the first origami models only looked similar to things. People often folded models and gave them to other people for good luck. For example, Shinto nobles celebrated weddings with sake in glasses decorated with origami butterflies, which gave good luck to the bride and groom.

There were also independent paperfolding traditions in other countries, like Germany and Spain. The earliest evidence of paperfolding in Europe is a picture of a boat in 1490. There was also a paper box from 1440. Finally, in 1845, *Kan no mado* was written, and it was the first book of origami models.

Recently, people have become more interested in origami. In 1954, Japanese paperfolder Akira Yoshizawa created rules to explain how to fold origami models. His instructions on paperfolding are now used in all countries.

### Paper

Many different types of paper can be used for origami.
Peter Engel, who is a well-known paperfolder, says "the best paper [for origami] is thin and crisp and absolutely square." Pre-cut origami paper is sold in many colors, sizes, and patterns. Duo paper, or paper with different colors on each side, is used by paperfolders because it makes areas of different color on the finished model. There are also special papers, like textured, metallic, and patterned.

Many people like to make their own paper. Engel describes a process shown to him by Robert J. Lang that is "a sandwich of aluminum foil and two pieces of tissue paper." In this method, two pieces of paper are pasted to each side of the aluminum foil. Many people like origami because there is almost always paper. Copy paper, napkins, wallpaper, index cards, and even paper money can be used to make interesting and unique models.

### Tools

Many paperfolders prefer to use a flat surface to fold models on, but others, like Japanese people, fold in the air. Traditional paperfolders believe that only the hands should be used when folding, but many modern folders use other tools when folding. Tweezers and paper clips can be used to make very small folds. Some folders use rulers or other flat tools to make sharper creases in the models.

## Types

New types of origami have been made because more people are making origami models.

A modular star.
### Modular

### Pureland

Pureland origami is origami with one rule: only one fold can be made at a time. British paper folder John Smith started pureland origami for inexperienced paperfolders or for people with poor motor skills. Hard folds, like the inside-reverse fold, are not allowed in pureland origami.

## Pictures

* Elephant
* Ball
* Paper cranes
* Modular origami