The Birth of Origami
The History of Japanese Paper and Origami
Papermaking was invented in China at the beginning of the second century and and was first brought into Japan, some 400 years later, subsequent to the introduction of Buddhism in the sixth century. As part of the efforts to disseminate Buddhism, and for official use, the government encouraged paper production for the transcription of sacred sutras.
The paper first brought to Japan was weak, easy to split, and not insect resistant, making it difficult to preserve. As demand for the production of better quality paper grew, Gampi, a plant of the Daphne family indigenous to Japan was found to be an ideal raw material for paper. This prompted the Japanese to part ways with the original Chinese manufacturing method, leading to the creation of Japanese paper--Washi. By the late eighth century, a new method of making paper was introduced from hemp and Kozo (a plant of the Mulberry family), adding the viscous mucilage of Tororoaoi (a plant of the Mallow family). This is called the Nagashizuki method. This innovative development allowed the production of unusually thin, strong, and resistant paper with a minimal waste of natural resources.
At the outset of Japan's Heian period (794—1192), the regions of Japan became known for their own particular types of paper. Even today, these papers are preserved in impeccable condition in museums and private collections.
When first produced, paper was used only for official documents and the transcription of religious texts because of its scarcity and value. Increased production of quality paper soon prompted it to be used for private correspondence and poetry, and hence promoting the development of literature and art. The illustrated hand scroll of the Tale of Genji ( 1120-40) is one of the most well known of the early masterpieces. The original novel, written by Murasaki Shikibu early in the eleventh century, was painted into hand scrolls.
In medieval Japan, paper was still very valuable, but it soon became useful in various parts of everyday life. Good examples at this include Shoji, the paper sliding screen, and Fusuma, the paper sliding door. Especially during the Edoperiod (1603— 1867), when Japan enjoyed a time at peace, paper was used in the production of various necessities from Chochin (lanterns) and Sensu (folding fans) to Kamiko (robes) and even Kappa (raincoats).
The Birth of Origami
The origin of origami is not clear. It is said that one at the earliest instances of origami was decorative paperwork used in the Shinto ceremonies. Being a valuable commodity, paper was regarded as divine and nobles would exchange letters or gifts attached with a cut paper now known as a Noshi. In the samurai society, traces of origami could be seen in their special style of wrapping developed during the Muromachi period (1338-1573). What is quite clear, however, is that in the Edo period, when paper production increased massively, it became widely popular among ordinary townspeople. Origami cranes and various types of boat designs became popular as decorations on clothing, and are depicted in Ukiyoe wood prints. The world's oldest paper folding text book, Hiden Senbazuru Orikata (The Secret of One Thousand Origami Cranes)(1797) describes how to create many cranes connected together. This was followed by Kayaragusa (1845), which provides a comprehensive collection of origami models. Recreational origami developed as an amusement and also as a decorative art throughout society.
Washi joins the world
After a long period of seclusion from the world, Japan relaxed her isolation in 1853. In 1873, at the Vienna World Exposition, Western people were surprised to see various commodities mode of paper, such as parasols, rain umbrellas, folding fans, and fabrics made from Shifu, which were exhibited by Japan. For Westerners, paper was merely a medium of writing, painting, and printing. Washi's thin and soft but resilient characteristics enabled the Japanese to use it in various ways, from usage in the production of daily necessities to recreational and artistic use. Washi is now actively used in various categories of work: arts, crafts, bookbinding, graphic design, and interior design, to name a few. Not only is Origami is a popular amusement but it has also become a hobby for adults. It is used for recreational purpose, but increasingly there are many origami creators now whose works have reached the level of fine art.
Papermaking was invented in China at the beginning of the second century and and was first brought into Japan, some 400 years later, subsequent to the introduction of Buddhism in the sixth century. As part of the efforts to disseminate Buddhism, and for official use, the government encouraged paper production for the transcription of sacred sutras.
The paper first brought to Japan was weak, easy to split, and not insect resistant, making it difficult to preserve. As demand for the production of better quality paper grew, Gampi, a plant of the Daphne family indigenous to Japan was found to be an ideal raw material for paper. This prompted the Japanese to part ways with the original Chinese manufacturing method, leading to the creation of Japanese paper--Washi. By the late eighth century, a new method of making paper was introduced from hemp and Kozo (a plant of the Mulberry family), adding the viscous mucilage of Tororoaoi (a plant of the Mallow family). This is called the Nagashizuki method. This innovative development allowed the production of unusually thin, strong, and resistant paper with a minimal waste of natural resources.
At the outset of Japan's Heian period (794—1192), the regions of Japan became known for their own particular types of paper. Even today, these papers are preserved in impeccable condition in museums and private collections.
When first produced, paper was used only for official documents and the transcription of religious texts because of its scarcity and value. Increased production of quality paper soon prompted it to be used for private correspondence and poetry, and hence promoting the development of literature and art. The illustrated hand scroll of the Tale of Genji ( 1120-40) is one of the most well known of the early masterpieces. The original novel, written by Murasaki Shikibu early in the eleventh century, was painted into hand scrolls.
In medieval Japan, paper was still very valuable, but it soon became useful in various parts of everyday life. Good examples at this include Shoji, the paper sliding screen, and Fusuma, the paper sliding door. Especially during the Edoperiod (1603— 1867), when Japan enjoyed a time at peace, paper was used in the production of various necessities from Chochin (lanterns) and Sensu (folding fans) to Kamiko (robes) and even Kappa (raincoats).
The Birth of Origami
The origin of origami is not clear. It is said that one at the earliest instances of origami was decorative paperwork used in the Shinto ceremonies. Being a valuable commodity, paper was regarded as divine and nobles would exchange letters or gifts attached with a cut paper now known as a Noshi. In the samurai society, traces of origami could be seen in their special style of wrapping developed during the Muromachi period (1338-1573). What is quite clear, however, is that in the Edo period, when paper production increased massively, it became widely popular among ordinary townspeople. Origami cranes and various types of boat designs became popular as decorations on clothing, and are depicted in Ukiyoe wood prints. The world's oldest paper folding text book, Hiden Senbazuru Orikata (The Secret of One Thousand Origami Cranes)(1797) describes how to create many cranes connected together. This was followed by Kayaragusa (1845), which provides a comprehensive collection of origami models. Recreational origami developed as an amusement and also as a decorative art throughout society.
Washi joins the world
After a long period of seclusion from the world, Japan relaxed her isolation in 1853. In 1873, at the Vienna World Exposition, Western people were surprised to see various commodities mode of paper, such as parasols, rain umbrellas, folding fans, and fabrics made from Shifu, which were exhibited by Japan. For Westerners, paper was merely a medium of writing, painting, and printing. Washi's thin and soft but resilient characteristics enabled the Japanese to use it in various ways, from usage in the production of daily necessities to recreational and artistic use. Washi is now actively used in various categories of work: arts, crafts, bookbinding, graphic design, and interior design, to name a few. Not only is Origami is a popular amusement but it has also become a hobby for adults. It is used for recreational purpose, but increasingly there are many origami creators now whose works have reached the level of fine art.
Origami and Japanese people
Why origami culture was created in Japan
Rice farming culture and beauty of the squares
Punctilious life that follows the change of season and the beauty of straight lines, squares and rectangles lined up in the rice fields. This is the scenery that Japanese people are very much used to seeing.
Also, Japanese cedars and cypresses grow straight up high in the sky and are the essential materials for Japanese architecture. In the historical architectural landmarks, from the world-renowned Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto to the Itsukushima shrine in Hiroshima, a world heritage site, we can see the essence of Japanese culture that is characterized by straight lines and squares.
The culture of folding and the culture of orientation of facing inward
Until the beginning of the 20th century, people in Japan folded and then stored their bedding neatly every day, and they also folded up their Japanese - style clothes and put them away in a chest of drawers. The tatami mat in the Japanese style room also used to be folded. To fold means to tidy up. It is believed this emanates from the diligence of farmers who were mainly engaged in rice farming.
The rice farming, which is possible to be done by successive cultivation, allowed them to settle down in one place and they didn’t need to move around to other places, contrary to the nomads. People in China of course, and many countries in Europe, were nomadic people who had sheep, cows and camels in the grass fields and moved by following their herds, or they were people strongly influenced by the nomadic culture. Japanese culture, from a worldwide perspective, is unusual in that it doesn’t have a tradition of nomadic culture.
There is an expression 一所懸命 (Issho kenmei) which means doing things with utmost effort. As we can see, this expression’s literal meaning is based on issho , which means one place, and kenmei which means devoting one's life to accomplish something. Japanese people were always living by facing inward in their community. It allowed them to use limited natural resources effectively and they created a Wrapping Culture in Japan in which they adored the virtue of modesty.
Introduction of paper and development of durable Japanese paper
Japanese paper is thin, durable and difficult to be torn. The most important way of utilising paper used to be for writing purposes. Responding to the various demands of paper, it became to be utilised in the living environment, for example for fusuma (Japanese sliding doors) and byoubu (Japanese folding screens), and then developed into shouji (wooden sliding doors with translucent paper), chouchin (Japanese lanterns), andon (fixed paper-enclosed lanterns), fans and folding fans, and even paper clothes. With the growth in the various trends for paper usage, so the creation of paper for gift-wrappings and paper dolls used in purification rites, for example, became quite varied as well. Paper amulets and incense wrapping in their wrapping culture (manner of paper wrappings), which are known as the direct root of origami, were also created with the trend for various paper usages according to people’s demands.
At the start of the Meiji era (from 1868), origami was introduced into kindergarten education. At elementary schools, children started learning origami in the classroom as an art and craft activity and so it became more popular. Nowadays, origami has spread throughout the world and hence many groups and organisations of origami lovers have been formed, all encouraging participation and increasing awareness of origami.
Omotenashi, the Japanese spirit of hospitality and origami
The culture of omotenashi (the Japanese spirit of hospitality) has been attracting worldwide attention in recent years. The wrapping culture, which is known as the origin of origami, was created from the gift giving culture of omotenashi. Giving a gift or money to someone after wrapping it nicely using beautiful paper or cloth is a Japanese custom, is still upheld in modern times and much admired around the world.
Most people in Japan would never rip rip the wrapping paper off a gift, but rather unwrap it carefully so as not to damage the wrapping. They don’t throw it away in the bin, either, but fold it neatly and keep it for another time. This expresses their sincere feeling for the gift-giver. Also, whilst reflecting the mindset of omotenashi, it is also a reflection of the Japanese lifestyle based on simplicity and frugality.
The chopsticks that are provided at Japanese restaurants or ones that come with bento lunch boxes are also always presented in the paper-made chopstick wrappers. This is a reflection of the unique Japanese omotenashi in its simplest form. A variety of designs have been created for these chopstick wrappers as origami models.
Rice farming culture and beauty of the squares
Punctilious life that follows the change of season and the beauty of straight lines, squares and rectangles lined up in the rice fields. This is the scenery that Japanese people are very much used to seeing.
Also, Japanese cedars and cypresses grow straight up high in the sky and are the essential materials for Japanese architecture. In the historical architectural landmarks, from the world-renowned Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto to the Itsukushima shrine in Hiroshima, a world heritage site, we can see the essence of Japanese culture that is characterized by straight lines and squares.
The culture of folding and the culture of orientation of facing inward
Until the beginning of the 20th century, people in Japan folded and then stored their bedding neatly every day, and they also folded up their Japanese - style clothes and put them away in a chest of drawers. The tatami mat in the Japanese style room also used to be folded. To fold means to tidy up. It is believed this emanates from the diligence of farmers who were mainly engaged in rice farming.
The rice farming, which is possible to be done by successive cultivation, allowed them to settle down in one place and they didn’t need to move around to other places, contrary to the nomads. People in China of course, and many countries in Europe, were nomadic people who had sheep, cows and camels in the grass fields and moved by following their herds, or they were people strongly influenced by the nomadic culture. Japanese culture, from a worldwide perspective, is unusual in that it doesn’t have a tradition of nomadic culture.
There is an expression 一所懸命 (Issho kenmei) which means doing things with utmost effort. As we can see, this expression’s literal meaning is based on issho , which means one place, and kenmei which means devoting one's life to accomplish something. Japanese people were always living by facing inward in their community. It allowed them to use limited natural resources effectively and they created a Wrapping Culture in Japan in which they adored the virtue of modesty.
Introduction of paper and development of durable Japanese paper
Japanese paper is thin, durable and difficult to be torn. The most important way of utilising paper used to be for writing purposes. Responding to the various demands of paper, it became to be utilised in the living environment, for example for fusuma (Japanese sliding doors) and byoubu (Japanese folding screens), and then developed into shouji (wooden sliding doors with translucent paper), chouchin (Japanese lanterns), andon (fixed paper-enclosed lanterns), fans and folding fans, and even paper clothes. With the growth in the various trends for paper usage, so the creation of paper for gift-wrappings and paper dolls used in purification rites, for example, became quite varied as well. Paper amulets and incense wrapping in their wrapping culture (manner of paper wrappings), which are known as the direct root of origami, were also created with the trend for various paper usages according to people’s demands.
At the start of the Meiji era (from 1868), origami was introduced into kindergarten education. At elementary schools, children started learning origami in the classroom as an art and craft activity and so it became more popular. Nowadays, origami has spread throughout the world and hence many groups and organisations of origami lovers have been formed, all encouraging participation and increasing awareness of origami.
Omotenashi, the Japanese spirit of hospitality and origami
The culture of omotenashi (the Japanese spirit of hospitality) has been attracting worldwide attention in recent years. The wrapping culture, which is known as the origin of origami, was created from the gift giving culture of omotenashi. Giving a gift or money to someone after wrapping it nicely using beautiful paper or cloth is a Japanese custom, is still upheld in modern times and much admired around the world.
Most people in Japan would never rip rip the wrapping paper off a gift, but rather unwrap it carefully so as not to damage the wrapping. They don’t throw it away in the bin, either, but fold it neatly and keep it for another time. This expresses their sincere feeling for the gift-giver. Also, whilst reflecting the mindset of omotenashi, it is also a reflection of the Japanese lifestyle based on simplicity and frugality.
The chopsticks that are provided at Japanese restaurants or ones that come with bento lunch boxes are also always presented in the paper-made chopstick wrappers. This is a reflection of the unique Japanese omotenashi in its simplest form. A variety of designs have been created for these chopstick wrappers as origami models.