Definition and Word Origin

• Modern origami artist Joseph Wu defines origami as "a form of visual/sculptural representation that is defined primarily by the folding of a medium (usually paper)." Origami can be used to create a variety of sculptures, abstract art projects and even for mathematical purposes. According to the Paper Folding website, the word origami comes from the Japanese words oru and kami. Oru means "to fold." Kami means "paper."
  
  

Invention of Paper

• Several historians believe that the invention of origami is directly related to the invention of paper. Paper was invented in China around 105 A.D, according to the PBS Independent Lens website. The majority of the evidence related to the history of paper refers to it as a writing tool and makes no reference to folding paper for art purposes. Chinese monks brought paper to Japan in the sixth century.
  
  

Ancient Usages

• Paper was originally only available to Japan's most wealthy and influential citizens. The first signs of origami were in religious and secular ceremonies. Figures commonly included animals, ceremonial designs and costumed people, according to the Kids Gen website. In the 12th century, the Moors brought a tradition of paper folding based on mathematics to Spain. The Spanish people developed the lessons of the Moors into an art form known as papiroflexia or pajarita.
  
  

Endo Period

• The Endo Period in Japan, from 1603 to 1868, brought about the first written records of origami practice, according to PBS. As paper became mass produced and readily available, origami became more recreational. Designs and instructions were most often passed from generation to generation orally. In 1797, Akisato Rito wrote the book "Sembazuru Orikata" (How to Fold One Thousand Cranes), making it the first published instructions for origami. A more comprehensive publication followed in 1845. By the late 1800s, kindergarten students in Japan and Europe were being taught how to fold paper.
  
  

Modern Origami

• According to PBS, Akira Yoshizawa was known as the father of modern origami. In the 1930s, he developed a system using symbols, arrows and diagrams to fold patterns in paper. His patterns helped spread the art of origami around the world in the 1950s through international origami associations. Today, origami has developed into being used in puzzles and mathematical constructions as well as recreational and professional art projects.