Origami

Origami (折り紙) means paper folding in Japanese. In Edo period, origami started being popular among common people. Then, it has become an art form which has been passed down through several generations.  The principal purpose is to change a flat square paper into a finished object by folding it.  Modern origami style doesn’t usually include cutting or markings on the paper.  The object can be animals, birds, fish, flowers or other shapes. Indeed, learning origami is mostly so easy that even very young children can make in a few minutes. In Japan, at one time origami was taught in schools but today, children are generally taught origami at home. 

Actually, origami can bring children mathematical interest because of its symmetric shape and develop insights along with passing down traditional art form. People celebrate national holidays with colourful origami decorations made by the family. On children's day, children make colourful paper carp as a carp recognized to swim upstream, against the current. This symbolizes vitality of children. On Tanabata day, The Star Festival is celebrated. Origami stars decorate bamboo branches. The most well-known and popular origami object is the crane. It has been created by several generations thanks to its ease. Almost every origami guide book has how to make the crane.  

Paper crane has become the international symbol of peace. In Japan almost every child has learned how to make the crane at least once. Some people try to make tiny paper cradle to show off dexterity. Interestingly, you will see a bunch of paper cradles at patient’s rooms in a hospital. It is called Senbazuru (千羽鶴) which means a thousand of cradles. It has the belief that senbazuru brings curing of illness. Therefore, a patient gets a thousand of paper cradles piled up created by his family or friends even though it takes much time to complete.