Traditional Crane
Pajarita
History
History of Paper Folding
The origins of paper folding is not precisely known. Many origami historians had associated paper folding with the discovery of paper, apparently assuming that with the discovery of paper, it would be used for artistic or ceremonial reasons.
Paper making was believed to have been discovered by a Chinese court official Tsai Lun around AD 100 in China. Prior to this papyrus first discovered by the Egyptians was also used as a writing material but this would not be considered just as we will not consider stones, wood or other materials that does not closely resemble the paper we used today for folding. Thus making the Chinese to be the first to fold paper. The main tradition of Chinese paper folding appears to be found within the tradition of ceremonies, funerals and prayers to the Gods.
At the start of the 7th Century, Buddhist monks brought paper made from the mulberry tree to Japan. In Japan during the Heian period (794 - 1185) is when the earliest evidence of paper folding such as the Noshi was found where it was used for ceremonial purposes. The Kamakura period (1185 - 1333), paper continued to be used for ceremonies. 'Modern' origami was believed to have started during the Muromachi period (1333 - 1573). By the Edo period (1603 - 1867), paper folding has become a popular pastime in Japan. The traditional crane was believed to have been created during this period. Around 1850, one of the most famous books mentioning origami, Kan-no-mado was published. Origami continued during the Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) into the Taisho Period (1912 - today). The reorganisation of origami as a creative art in Japan was through the efforts of Isao Honda. Akira Yoshizawa has been the dominating genius for many years.
Back to history, the art of paper making spread westwards following the caravan routes. It reached Egypt in the 10th Century and in the 12th Century, the Moors brought paper-making into Spain. The most ancient Spanish model is the Pajarita (sparrow), believe to originate prior to 16th Century. Even after the Moors were expelled in 1492, paper folding survived in Spain, to be revived by Miguel de Unamuno (1864 - 1936).
In Japan where there is a long period of peace and stability, arts and culture was able to develop and origami along with it, and it has become part of the Japanese culture.
Origami Today
Akira Yoshizawa, the Japanese genius, or sensei (master) was the one who came up with the standards used today to document the folding steps. Robert Harbin popularised his standards and others adopted it. This has lead to the ability to pass the knowledge in print. This knowledge was acquired, passed along and developed further. Besides Japan, the countries dominating the origami scene include USA, England and Spain, all led by dedicated men.
Currently there are other origami masters all over the world. In England, we have David Brill, Nick Robinson, Paul Jackson, Dave Petty, in USA, there is John Montroll, Robert Lang, Stephen Weiss, Peter Engel, in Japan, other well known ones include Yoshide Momotani, Kunihiko Kasahara, Jun Maekawa, Toyoaki Kawai, Tomoko Fuse, Fumiaki Kawahata, in Spain, there is Vincente Palacios and there are too many to mention all of them.
Origami in Singapore Currently there is an informal origami group in Singapore. In
this group is a number of people with similar interest in origami. I belong
to this group.
Through the Arab occupation of Sicily, paper making reached Italy, France and the rest of Europe. By the second half of the 14th Century, the use of paper was well established in Europe. The first paper mill in North America was built in 1690.
If you check Singapore's bookstores today, you will find that there are plenty of origami books. The fact is they are also popular. I know this for a fact as many times, I tell myself "I will get that origami book the next time I come to the store" only to find the book gone even if a few days apart.
This proliferation of origami books and rapid advancement of origami knowledge would not have been possible without the efforts of dedicated men like Akira Yoshizawa, Robert Harbin, Alfred Bestall (author of Rupert books), Isao Honda, Toshie Takahama and many others, and dedicated women like Lillian Oppenheimer, Alice Gray and others.
In Singapore, we too have a well known creator who is internationally known. He is Francis Ow, the author of the book Origami Hearts, published by Japan Publications. His work has been used in books published by other authors and used to be taught at international origami conventions, publications and newsletters. Other Singaporeans who has origami books published under his name include Edwin Ee, author of Jurassic Origami and Sebastian Kong who is no longer actively folding.