Art and Craft

Unfold the Art of Origami

How_to

Origami, composed of the Japanese word oru meaning “fold” and kami meaning “paper”, is the ancient Japanese art of doing just that – folding paper. More specifically, folding paper into shapes.

International Origami Day is celebrated annually on 11 November, the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer, founder of Origami USA. And when better to get started in the fascinating ancient art than the yearly commemoration?

You can literally craft anything out of paper. From fashion pieces, to kinetic paper crafts, to life-size elephants, the sky is the limit. But as with any new hobby or interest that requires a certain skill level, you’ve got to learn how to crawl before you can walk, and subsequently walk before you can run.

The crane is arguably the most famous origami piece – thanks to pop culture and Japanese legends. As the crane is a mystical creature in Japan, it is believed that the gods promise eternal happiness and good luck to anyone who folds 1000 cranes. This makes 1000 cranes a popular gift of choice for special friends and family.

If you feel you could do with a bit of extra luck, follow our instructions below to fold a paper crane of your own.

First thing’s first. You’re going to need paper. While conventional copy paper would be up to the task, we suggest heading to your nearest PNA to pick up a copy of 101 Origami Creations. A nifty little book that features a number of tear-out, colourful origami paper with a few folding illustrations as well. Not only is the paper “pre-cut” in the starting size of 210mm x 210mm, but it features dual-colour paper sheets making it extremely beneficial in the folding process should you progress to more complex folds. Especially when you get completely hooked on this therapeutic hobby.

Courtesy of Origami-fun.com, here are easy-to-follow steps to fold an origami crane:

Origami, composed of the Japanese word oru meaning “fold” and kami meaning “paper”, is the ancient Japanese art of doing just that – folding paper. More specifically, folding paper into shapes.

International Origami Day is celebrated annually on 11 November, the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer, founder of Origami USA. And when better to get started in the fascinating ancient art than the yearly commemoration?

You can literally craft anything out of paper. From fashion pieces, to kinetic paper crafts, to life-size elephants, the sky is the limit. But as with any new hobby or interest that requires a certain skill level, you’ve got to learn how to crawl before you can walk, and subsequently walk before you can run.

The crane is arguably the most famous origami piece – thanks to pop culture and Japanese legends. As the crane is a mystical creature in Japan, it is believed that the gods promise eternal happiness and good luck to anyone who folds 1000 cranes. This makes 1000 cranes a popular gift of choice for special friends and family.

If you feel you could do with a bit of extra luck, follow our instructions below to fold a paper crane of your own.

First thing’s first. You’re going to need paper. While conventional copy paper would be up to the task, we suggest heading to your nearest PNA to pick up a copy of 101 Origami Creations. A nifty little book that features a number of tear-out, colourful origami paper with a few folding illustrations as well. Not only is the paper “pre-cut” in the starting size of 210mm x 210mm, but it features dual-colour paper sheets making it extremely beneficial in the folding process should you progress to more complex folds. Especially when you get completely hooked on this therapeutic hobby.

Courtesy of Origami-fun.com, here are easy-to-follow steps to fold an origami crane:

  1. Start with a square piece of paper, coloured side up. Fold the top corner of the paper down to the bottom corner. Crease and open again.
  1. Turn the paper over to the white side. Fold the paper in half, crease well and open, and then fold again in the other direction.
  1. Using the creases have made, Bring the top 3 corners of the model down to the bottom corner. Flatten model.
  1.  Fold top triangular flaps into the centre and unfold
  1. Fold top of model downwards, crease well and unfold
  1. Open the uppermost flap of the model, bringing it upwards and pressing the sides of the model inwards at the same time.
  1. Turn model over and repeat Steps 4-6 on the other side.
  1. Fold top flaps into the centre.
  1. Repeat on other side, so your model looks like this.
  1. Fold both ‘legs’ of model up, crease very well, then unfold.
  1. Inside Reverse Fold the “legs” along the creases you just made.
  1. Inside Reverse Fold one side to make a head, then fold down the wings.

Your finished crane!

https://www.origami-fun.com/origami-crane.html

And there you have it, your first origami piece. Now, only 999 more to go!

For some folding inspiration check out and follow these famous origamists on Instagram:

Neal Godse
Coco Sato
White on Rice
Cristian Marianciuc
Ekaterina Lukasheva Thank you for taking the time to read this article on the Japanese art of origami. Or, as the Japanese would say, “Arigato!”

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