Simple Origami

While origami historians are mixed on who to credit for the origin of origami, Japan has popularized it. Origami, then called orisue, was a popular pastime in Japan in the mid-1600's, according to 'Notes on the History of Orgami' by John Smith. Smith has an excellent site with tidbits on history and facts that you wouldn't think to ask about.

In the late '60's John Smith noticed that there were few written instructions on how to fold origami models. He proposed that a library of diagrams be created for the British Origami Society. As Smith notes, "Yoshizawa had already shown how folding diagrams could be used and Harbin and Randlett had extended the methods." I guess we can thank these folks, and those who continued this trend, for the wealth of origami diagrams available for us to create from.

Origami has benefits for all ages. It can:

- improve concentration,
- relieve stress,
- keep the minds of the elderly sharp, and
- help kids develop fine motor skills and learn to follow directions.

In addition it's an activity the entire family can participate in. Creating and modifying paper airplanes to fly further is a very inexpensive and educational way to entertain the kids!

No page on origami would be complete unless the famed paper crane was mentioned. According to an ancient Japanese legend, if you folded one thousand paper cranes, your wish would be granted. The story of Sadako Sashaki, below, is known throughout the world.

Sadako was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. She developed leukemia ten years later at age twelve and died. Sadako believed in this legend and started folding paper cranes with the wish that she would get well. Unfortunately her wish was not granted.

In 1956 her classmates decided to raise funds for a momument that would honor Sadako and other children who were killed by the bomb and the effects of radiation. Thousands of schools in Japan and a handful in other countries contributed to the fund. Two years after Sadako's passing the Children's Peace Monument, also known as the Tower of a Thousand Cranes, was built in Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. Children around the globe continue to send letters and paper cranes to the Monument, over 50 years after it's creation.

Here are some things about origami you may not have known.

World Origami Days are celebrated from October 24 to November 11th.

Origami has dozens of entries in the Guinness Book of World Records including biggest, smallest, fastest to fold 100 cranes, most folds and many more.

Origami has been used on stamps in some countries.

It has been the theme of a play in New York called "Animals Out of Paper" in which the three main characters all are involved in the art of paper folding.

There are at least a dozen national origami associations throughout the world including: US, Japan, France, Netherlands, UK, Spain, Germany, Australia, Italy, Poland, Russia, and China.

The British Origami Society was the first association and was founded in London in 1967.

Origami USA sponsors a yearly convention in New York that is the largest in the world.

A national origami airplane championship is held in Japan every two years.

There are a number of ways to get started and learn origami. Here are three:

- For in-person instruction, you may be able to find an origami class at your local community center or continuing education department.

- There are videos and diagrams available online that you can follow.

- An easy way to get started with simple origami is to purchase an origami starter kit. These kits include a book with step-by-step instructions and paper. Get your copy of Origami Fun Kit today!