The Art of Origami

Origami literally means folding paper. Many believe that origami is from Japan, but that is false. Origami started in China in the 1st or 2nd century and then it spread to Japan in the early 7th century. In the beginning, only wealthy people could afford folding paper because there was little paper at the time. When easy origami methods were developed, paper became less expensive. Then, origami became a popular art, for the rich or poor. In the beginning of the Edo period (1600-1868), origami changed from being folding paper to being a beautiful form of art. It became so popular that papers that are specifically made for origami were mass-produced. Origami in the Edo period took the form of real objects, like cranes, boxes and frogs. Before, they were only simple techniques, like folding the paper diagonally. Modern origami was invented by Akira Yoshizawa in the 1930 s. He created thousands techniques and patterns for origami. If you fold 1000 paper cranes, your wish will be granted. Have you heard that saying anywhere? Of course you did, everyone knows it! Paper cranes had a significant effect on Japan. They are popular gifts for family and friends. It can also be given to new born babies for a long life filled with good luck. The paper crane consists of 25 steps. The thousand paper cranes have become a symbol of world peace. Sadako Sasaki is a Japanese girl whose life was affected by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Because of the radiation, she got leukemia. She tried to avoid her death by folding 1000 paper cranes. Unfortunately, she only folded 644 paper cranes before she died. Her friends folded 356 more cranes and buried all of the cranes in her grave. This shows how the people of Japan respects paper cranes. I hope you like my paper crane and my other origamis.

References:
y y y "History of Origami and the Crane." Lisa Shea - Origami, Parakeets, Birding. Web. 29 May 2011. <http://www.lisashea.com/japan/origami/sales/history/>. "Classic Cranes History." Classic Cranes Origami Home Page. Web. 31 May 2011. <http://www.origami-tsuru.com/crane7.htm>. Reed, Carly GutzmannMichelle. "Paper Cranes - History Students Make Origami for Peace | Articles | Discover Nikkei." Home | Discover Nikkei. Web. 1 June 2011. <http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2008/8/6/paper-cranes/>. "History Of Paper Crane." Info About Everything. Web. 1 June 2011. <http://info-abouteverything.com/history-of-paper-crane.html>. "Fold Origami | Modern History of Origami." Keyturnartworks Home. Web. 2 June 2011. <http://www.keyturnartworks.com/fo4/html/fo_modern.html>. "Crane History." Origami. Web. 2 June 2011. <http://www.how-to-origami.co.uk/craneorigami-history/>.

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