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The
word "Origami" is Japanese and is made
from 2 characters. The meaning of the 1st half
"ori" which uses the character for "ORU", is:
TO FOLD. The
2nd half "gami" is made up of the
character for "KAMI"
which means: PAPER.
| Japanese
Characters for Origami |
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ORI
TO FOLD
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GAMI
PAPER
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It originated in the 10th
century AD in Japan, but had roots reaching back
into China (where paper came from), and is done
by young and old in Japan to this day. There are
around 100 traditional origami shapes, most
showing natural shapes like birds, flowers, and
fish. But those are just a fraction of
possibilities that can be done. Just by folding
paper, decorative objects that are surprisingly
complex, intricate, and even realistic are being
made these days.
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Most origami is folded from a square
sheet of paper never (or rarely)
using any scissors to make the shapes.
Foil paper(Gold & Silver), heavy art
paper and a Paper called WASHI are used
often. The " WASHI" is a thin
Japanese paper that has a LOT of texture
to it. Washi is an art in itself and is
worth checking out the different
possibilities of it's uses in other
mediums as well.
Doing
origami with one's kids is a great way to
spend time getting closer,
"bonding" with them. A tool for
giving Kid's minds a good work out
practicing thinking, and working on their
dexterity as well. Origami is actually
used by some Professors teaching
Mathmatics also.
©Michiko Marshall
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without the written permission of the copyright owner.
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