Celebrating Akira Yoshizawa - The Grandfather of Origami

Princess Badoura by
Edmund Dulac, 1913

Today, the Google Doodle honors Akira Yoshizawa “considered to be the grandmaster of origami. He is credited with raising origami from a craft to a living art.

According to his own estimation made in 1989, he created more than 50,000 models, of which only a few hundred designs were presented as diagrams in his 18 books. Yoshizawa acted as an international cultural ambassador for Japan throughout his career.

In 1983, Japanese emperor Hirohito named him to the Order of the Rising Sun, one of the highest honors that can be given to a Japanese citizen.”

• Origami or the art of paper folding started in the 17th century AD
• The best known origami model is probably the Japanese paper crane.
• Traditional Japanese origami has been practiced since the Edo era (1603–1867),
• The principles of origami are also being used in stents, packaging and other engineering structures today.
• In China, traditional funerals include burning folded paper, most often representations of gold nuggets.
• The paper folding has typically been of objects like dishes, hats or boats rather than animals or flowers.
• There is also evidence of a cut and folded paper box from 1440.
• It is probable paperfolding in the west originated with the Moors.
• In Japan, Origami butterflies were used during the celebration of Shinto weddings to represent the bride and groom, a significant aspect of Japanese ceremony by the Heian period (794–1185) of Japanese history.

The information above was found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origami


Joseph Wu’s Origami Web Page -Origami is the art of paper folding. The word is Japanese, literally meaning "to fold" (oru) "paper" (kami). This site includes the history or origami, articles, diagrams and links. http://www.origami.as/home.html

Origami Fun – Wonderful pieces for both children and adults. Of course my favorite is the ladybug!http://www.origami-fun.com/index.html

Origami Instructions.com  - From basic origami folds to more elaborate offerings, this site has an array of designs, complete with easy to follow pictorial instructions.http://www.origami-instructions.com/

Origami Resource Center – Many more projects, including special holiday pieces.

http://www.origami-resource-center.com/

Robert J Lang Origami – You will be astounding by the amazing pieces of art work Robert Lang creates out of paper!
http://www.langorigami.com/



Origami Butterfly - So easy even I can do it!

STORIES

Tales of Japan : Sharing Their Stories – This is a blog post I wrote after the devastating earthquake in Japan one year ago. You will find wonderful stories and more.

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/03/tales-of-japan-sharing-their-stories.html

Folding Cranes: Finding Peace – Another blog post written in December 2010. The story of the peace crane and other resources.

http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2010/12/folding-cranes-finding-peace.html

BOOKS

The Complete Book of Origami: Step-by Step Instructions in Over 1000 Diagrams By Robert J. Lang. http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Origami-Step-Instructions/dp/0486258378

Easy Origami for Kids by John Montroll

http://tinyurl.com/7omlo5b

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Craneshttp://www.amazon.com/Sadako-thousand-paper-cranes-Eleanor/dp/0698118022

CURRICULUM

Arts of Asia - 1000 Cranes Lesson Plan
http://www.oberlin.edu/amam/asia/crane/Default.html

The Educational Benefits of Origami
http://www.informeddemocracy.com/sadako/fold/edbens.html

Education World: Fun with Origami – Grades 3 – 12.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/01-1/lp235_03.shtml 

Karen Chace 2012 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.