Origami

The Chinese invented paper almost 2,000 years ago. Origami, the art of paper folding, is just as old. It is possible that the art developed from the ancient custom of making paper houses, furniture, and servants, as well as paper money, as part of Chinese funeral rites. Colored paper symbols are still burned at Buddhist funerals so the dead person can live in earthly comfort in the next world. In the 7th century A.D., paper folding was brought to Japan. The Japanese developed many of China's arts and crafts into their own forms of expression. They found new methods of folding paper into pretty forms and images and made origami a highly creative art. From a few simple folds, the Japanese make things of great beauty and realism. Some are used as religious symbols to decorate the shrines and temples. Others are good-luck symbols, such as the crane, tortoise, and lobster, which are used as ornaments fastened to gifts or as festive decorations. It was Japanese magicians who introduced some of the magical charms or paper folding to the Western world. The magicians were so expert that with a few quick movements, they could make a bird, animal, or insect to surprise and delight the audience. In recent years, origami--the Japanese word for "paper folding"--has become the universal word for this art. Many great people of the past were gifted paper folders: the painter Leonard da Vinci, the poet Shelley, the writer Lewis Carroll, and the great magician Houdini. Many children of the Western world have fallen under the spell of origami. They are discovering the same enjoyment in this art that Japanese children find in making paper toys, dolls, houses, furniture, and animals. Traditional origami is always done without cutting or pasting. In creative origami, which is a more recently developed art, scissors and even paste can be used to help form more complicated designs. People usually begin with the traditional designs. Origami is a rewarding hobby that will bring hours of enjoyment. All you need is colored paper--and a pair of scissors and paste, if you wish. Imagine a piece of paper that with a few folds is suddenly turned into a magical bird, whale, boat, or paper hat!