Imagine being able to turn a single piece of paper into almost thing you can think of.
This is the beauty and magic of origami.
The word “Origami” can be broken down into “Oru” which means “To fold”, and “Kami” which simply means “Paper”. Believe it or not, this famous Japanese culture actually originated from China. In the sixth century, Buddhist monks brought paper over to Japan, this is how the art came to inception.
Originally, the art was only reserved for elite family groups like Samurais and the nobility. Common folks could not even afford paper at that time you see. It was a privilege. They used to make "noshi" (little good luck paper charm) as a gift to bring good luck. Samurais would carry noshi with them as they enter battles in hopes that they will be protected from harm.
However, as time passed, the art fully developed during the Edo Period (1603-1868), and mass production of paper had begun. As a result, origami was no longer an art reserved only for the privileged, but also for the general people.
Even today, real origami paper made In Japan is still handcrafted. Sold in various sizes, colors and patterns, they are generally colored on one side and white on the other. The name for this specific kind of paper only for Origami is washi – 和紙.
Now onto the fun stuff! Let’s check out some iconic origami designs!
Origami Crane
In Japan, every child learns how to make a folded paper crane. This is because legend holds it that if you fold 1,000 origami cranes- called Senbazuru, it not only bestows good luck, but also turns dreams and wishes into reality. Giving Senbazuru to someone sick is also believed to result in a much faster recovery. Whether you believe these magical properties or not, you can’t deny that all these cranes strung into an ocean of vibrant colors is nothing short of mesmerizing.
Samurai Helmets
Samurai helmets are another iconic origami creation. Samurais are ancient noble warriors of Japan, and their helms are an unmistakable part of their armor that children love to recreate in the form of origami, especially on Boy's Day- a festival held on May 5 to celebrate the birth and healthy growth of male children. Many people make origami samurai helmets from newspaper that are big enough to wear on that day!
