These ceremonial folds were simple and symbolized sincerity and purity.( 4) And " origami tsuki" was a folded piece of paper that accompanied a valuable gift and it served as a certificate of authenticity. Noshi is a folded decorative element attached to gifts at times of celebration - weddings, births, coming of age day - as a token of good luck ( 3). The Japanese are well known for their etiquette around gift giving, and paper adornments were folded in different ways to symbolise different things. There are other ceremonial folds that date back at least to the Edo era and some historians claim as far back as the 12th Century. Above this are the diagrams for the paper fold for each one. ( Origami Resource Center) In contrast, similar models are attached to sake bottles which look like decanters during New Year celebrations. Image - The Wedding Ceremony Sake Set shown on the right shows the butterflies attached to sake serving kettles ( choshi) which look like tea pots. Whatever the precise date, ocho and meccho are historically important because they are the first known examples of representational origami, the forerunners of the ubiquitous origami crane which is the symbol of modern origami. How far these models date back is unclear, but there is some evidence that as long ago as the Heian Period (794-1185) this fold was being used. The reference here is to an origami model called Ocho Meccho (male and female butterflies) which even today are used to wrap sake bottles at Shinto wedding ceremonies. It reads: " Rosei-ga yume-no cho-wa orisue" - the butterflies in Rosei's dream would be origami. ( 1) It is not until the late 17th century that we find the oldest unequivocal document of origami in Japan, a short poem composed by Ihara Saikaku in 1680. But in our search for the earliest folds, there is no evidence that the monks folded paper or used it for anything other than writing on.
Over time production techniques were improved and perfected creating the beautiful washi paper that the Japanese are so famous for. The technology for manufacturing paper, was imported from China, via Korea into Japan in the 6th Century by Buddhist monks, thus beginning the Japanese love affair with paper. However, it seems unlikely that having invented paper nobody in China thought to fold it! Earliest Japanese folds Much that is Japanese was indeed introduced from China - kanji characters, Buddhism, gyoza dumplings to name but three - but there is no firm evidence that the Chinese are the originators of paper folding. Cai Lun (also written Ts'ai Lun) is credited with the invention of paper, must have been the birthplace of paper folding. It has often been assumed that China, where in 105 A.D.
And paper is fragile which means that sadly no ancient origami models folded by Emperors of old exist to prove its heritage. Truly a remedy for our times.īut where and when did paper folding originate? Is it as old as the hills or this week's latest fashion? And how did this Japanese pastime come to be practiced across the globe? Back to the beginningįor paper folding only one material is required. And it has been shown that origami can aid relaxation, concentration, hand eye co-ordination and memory. It requires patience and a single-minded focus to follow the steps and gradually bring the model to life. It is slow and precise, each fold carefully made. Origami has though, increasingly been recognised as being an effective way to practice mindfulness and to increase well-being. Who would have thought folding a piece of paper exactly in half could be so hard?! To the uninitiated paper folding can appear a mysterious art as one's previously reliable and capable fingers become strangely maladroit. If you have tried to turn a piece of thin, square paper into folded crane you may have not found this a calming activity. Hero image: Badger, designed Matthieu Chicouène
When your hands are busy your heart is serene" - credited to Akira Yoshizawa, the grandfather of modern origami
" When you fold, the ritual and the act of creation is more important than the final result. Explore our latest brochure for Japan holiday inspiration
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