Origami Expert
Insider Info
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a piece of paper folded
up to look like one -- it's origami! Origami is the Japanese art of paper
folding. Translated from Japanese, it means Aoru (to fold) and Akami (paper).
Often, young people learn to do origami at school or through friends who
already know how to fold different shapes. With enough patience and practice,
some youth and adults find origami to be a relaxing and rewarding hobby.
Joseph Wu, an origami enthusiast, says the satisfaction of creating something
from almost nothing is very enjoyable.
Origami clubs and associations exist all around the world. They meet in
places like libraries, schools, community centers or people's homes.
Some clubs are quite large while others consist of a small group of friends
who share a common interest in the art of paper folding.
Depending on who is folding and what their beliefs are, origami can be
created for religious or purely artistic reasons.
Meetings usually consist of someone leading a fold. Everyone follows the
instructor's directions in order to complete the chosen figure. As well,
people bring in copies of new and interesting designs to share with others.
These meetings are social gatherings where people share their passion for
origami.
Origami is believed to have begun way back in the first century AD. In
fact, as soon as the Chinese invented paper, people were thinking of things
to do with it other than writing a book or sending a letter. The results turned
out to be the starting point for a tradition that has lasted until today.
The first written instructions appeared in 1797 with the publication of
Senbazuru Orikata, or How to Fold 1,000 Cranes. In addition to Japanese and
Chinese cultures, evidence of origami can also be found in Spanish, North
African and Arabian cultures.
Origami today (modern creative paper folding) was made popular by Akira
Yoshizawa. Starting in the 1930s, he designed not hundreds, but thousands
of models of everything imaginable.
He met up with American Sam Randlett, and from there they made easy-to-follow
paper folding instructions. This helped to increase the popularity of this
hobby in the West.
Interest in origami remains strong, and probably will as long as there
is paper to fold. It can be a relaxing hobby for those stressed-out individuals
who need something productive to do with their hands.
You don't have to win the lottery to pursue this hobby either! A pack
of basic origami paper costs a few dollars and you can sign books out from
the library for only the cost of your time to find the right book.
If you'd like to buy a book or two or 10 (if you get hooked), paperback
editions can be found for less than $10.
To participate in origami, you must have good dexterity. In other words,
if you're all thumbs, you may be in for a bit of a challenge. Patience
and concentration are two characteristics that help too. If you would like
to learn to be more patient, this may be the hobby to learn!
Getting Started
To get started, you could do one of two things. First, you can go it alone,
with an instructional book and some supplies. However, people who are more
advanced suggest that beginners would be better off to take the time to have
someone show them how to create their first piece.
There are some basics, such as the reverse fold and the squash fold that
are the foundation for more advanced moves. Have someone demonstrate these
techniques and you will be on your way.
Speaking of advanced moves, check this out...
A square of paper 1 mm by 1 mm was used to fold a crane, using a microscope
and a sewing needle at Nigata University in Japan.
At the other extreme, Jim Mockford, a Japanese language teacher in Washington,
reports that in the fall of 1995, a class of 20 of his students made a paper
crane that measured over 23 feet from wingtip to wingtip. This was made using
a very large, single piece of paper.
Origami as a career, you ask?
Some people find employment in this field that allows them to bring together
their love of paper folding and their desire to work at something they love.
How about these jobs?
Party organizer and decorator Miriam Snell, who enjoys origami, has been
hired by companies to decorate tables and to create place settings for various
occasions.
Two of her larger clients have been Duracell and Kellogg's. She also
runs children's birthday parties, where she teaches the kids how to do
folds.
There are many origami books out there, but for those people who have some
innovative ideas or interesting diagrams to share, creating a book may be
an option. To create diagrams, a solid understanding of geometry and math
are good skills to have.
If there is a demand for origami supplies, or other craft supplies in the
community, someone with a mind for business might start their own craft store.
Of course, a love of the art would have to be balanced with an entrepreneurial
spirit and keen business sense.
If you are the kind of person who can imagine 3D images and enjoy art,
origami may be for you. There are many possibilities of diagrams to follow,
and of course the more time you spend practicing, the more skilled you will
become.
You may never use a microscope and a needle to create a piece, but everything
that you do make will be something of which you can be proud.
Associations
OrigamiUSA
Internet
:
http://www.origami-usa.org/
Links
The Japanese Paper Place
An online supplier
Joseph Wu's Origami Page
Excellent info and links
Money Origami
People fold money too!
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