Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Origami

Illustration and text from Senbazuru Orikata by Akisato Rito (1797).

Origami is an art form that has transformed over the ages. Which of the following facts did you know about this form?

1. Its Roots

While origami is generally known to have stemmed from Japan, paper folding was likely occurring in China simultaneously (if not sooner). In China paper folding is called: zhezhi. According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, the invention of paper was attributed to Cai Lun, a Chinese court official. He was also the one who introduced paper as sheets. In the 6th century, Buddhist monks brought paper to Korea and Japan.

2. The Meaning of Origami

Origami was first called “orikata” in Japan meaning “folded shapes.” In 1880, the craft became “origami” from the Japanese words “ori” meaning “folded” and “kami” meaning “paper.” (Source: The Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking).

3. Origami Originally Carried Ceremonial Purposes

When paper was expensive back in the day (6th century), origami was reserved for special occasions like weddings where sake cups were decorated with paper butterflies and sacred spaces like Shinto shrines where origami was folded for good luck (National Geographic).

4. Samurai and Origami