Who invented origami?
Paper was invented in China over 2000 years ago. Within a hundred years of this invention, the art of paperfolding began. However, as more groups of people learned how to make paper, the tradition of folding paper or origami, spread to other countries.
Paper was invented in China over 2000 years ago. Within a hundred years of this invention, the art of paperfolding began. However, as more groups of people learned how to make paper, the tradition of folding paper or origami, spread to other countries.
The Japanese tradition
Paperfolding reached Japan in the 6th century, around 1,500 years ago. It soon became a very big part of Japanese culture. By the 8th century, origami was valued so much that Samurai warriors would exchange gifts of origami for dried fish or meat! In the 14th century when paper became less expensive, people in all levels of Japanese society – from the poor to the rich -- used origami. In 1845, the first book was published which showed how to make a wide range of origami figures.
Paperfolding reached Japan in the 6th century, around 1,500 years ago. It soon became a very big part of Japanese culture. By the 8th century, origami was valued so much that Samurai warriors would exchange gifts of origami for dried fish or meat! In the 14th century when paper became less expensive, people in all levels of Japanese society – from the poor to the rich -- used origami. In 1845, the first book was published which showed how to make a wide range of origami figures.
A thousand cranes
After the atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, Japan in 1945, over 75,000 people were killed while thousands of others got cancer from the after-effects of the radiation. One child, Sadako Sasaki, had been two years-old at the time of the blast and was diagnosed with leukemia in 1955. While Sadako was in the hospital, a friend folded her a traditional crane. In Japan the crane is a sacred bird and is believed to have the power to grant wishes. Anyone who folds a thousand cranes will have their wish granted. Sadako began folding cranes with every scrap of paper she could find. At first she was wishing for better health, but then as she got weaker, she began to wish for world peace. She had folded 644 cranes by the time she died; her friends finished the remaining amount so that they had 1000. This effort developed into raising money for a Children’s Peace monument which was built three years later. Now every year on Peace Day in Japan, children from around the world send thousands of paper cranes strung together with thread to represent the hope for world peace.
After the atomic bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, Japan in 1945, over 75,000 people were killed while thousands of others got cancer from the after-effects of the radiation. One child, Sadako Sasaki, had been two years-old at the time of the blast and was diagnosed with leukemia in 1955. While Sadako was in the hospital, a friend folded her a traditional crane. In Japan the crane is a sacred bird and is believed to have the power to grant wishes. Anyone who folds a thousand cranes will have their wish granted. Sadako began folding cranes with every scrap of paper she could find. At first she was wishing for better health, but then as she got weaker, she began to wish for world peace. She had folded 644 cranes by the time she died; her friends finished the remaining amount so that they had 1000. This effort developed into raising money for a Children’s Peace monument which was built three years later. Now every year on Peace Day in Japan, children from around the world send thousands of paper cranes strung together with thread to represent the hope for world peace.
The Moorish tradition
At the same time in a different part of the world, a group of people called the Moors took paperfolding to Spain. They were very good at math and science and used origami to teach geometry. Their practice of paperfolding began in the 13th century and continues into the present day.
At the same time in a different part of the world, a group of people called the Moors took paperfolding to Spain. They were very good at math and science and used origami to teach geometry. Their practice of paperfolding began in the 13th century and continues into the present day.
Origami today
Recently, more children and adults throughout the United States are beginning to develop an interest in creating origami. Many see it as a challenge and as a way to create something fun!
New and more difficult origami figures are constantly being created, such as a ball, an elephant, or a vase with flowers. We hope that you will try making some of our origami figures and enjoy getting better at this skill for many years to come!
Recently, more children and adults throughout the United States are beginning to develop an interest in creating origami. Many see it as a challenge and as a way to create something fun!
New and more difficult origami figures are constantly being created, such as a ball, an elephant, or a vase with flowers. We hope that you will try making some of our origami figures and enjoy getting better at this skill for many years to come!
Adapted from: Beech, R. (2002). "The Origami Handbook". New York, NY:
Anness Publishing Inc.
Anness Publishing Inc.