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With an unclear origination, origami comes from the Japanese verb oru, meaning to fold, and kami, or paper. It is believed by some historians that this ancient art of folding paper figures of animals, people, objects, and abstract shapes was developed soon after the invention of paper in AD 105 by Cai Lun of China. However, a second theory suggests that it is strictly Japanese, based on the fact that there are no known Chinese records of early origami. Japanese paper folding records date back to the 18th century. But regardless of its true origins, origami was mostly developed in Japan. It was sometimes used as part of religious ceremonies because it was so highly valued. |
| As the Arabs began making paper during the eighth century, they began their own style of origami. Because of their studies in mathematics, the Arabs became interested in the practice to review geometry. They later invaded Spain, which, by 1150, led the Spanish to begin making paper. Their tradition of origami was known as papiroflexia. |
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Paper is the recommended material for creating origami figures. It should be thin, strong, and able to crease well, and the standard size is usually 15 centimeters, or 6 inches squared. Usually, the paper is a plain white in color on one side, and on the other is a decorative and authentic pattern or design. Other variations of origami include the use of cardboard, cloth, sheet metal, and pasta. |
| Modern origami’s popularity grew in the 1950s as published books of directions began to spread throughout the country. The Japanese origami master Akira Yoshizawa developed these books to show his nontraditional styles of his models. He also created a set of origami diagram symbols so that anyone could explain how to form their figure, and it is used in almost all books to- |
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| day. Akira Yoshizawa’s
emphasis on this art has led to the formation of such origami
associations as the Origami Center of America (now known as Origami USA)
and the British Origami Society. |
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