Origami comes from the Japanese words oru meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper". It is the art of paper folding, which is often associated with Japanese culture. In modern usage, the word "origami" is used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin. The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques. Modern origami practitioners generally discourage the use of cuts, glue, or markings on the paper. Origami folders often use the Japanese word kirigami to refer to designs which use cuts.
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Spear-tailed Dragon
This lesson is taught by no other than the head of the Murakami House of Origami. It contains 5 minute videos on how to complete each step of the process. The Murakami House has been using ancient techniques that have been passed down within the family since the Edo period.
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The small number of basic origami folds can be combined in a variety of ways to make intricate designs. The best-known origami model is the Japanese paper crane. In general, these designs begin with a square sheet of paper whose sides may be of different colors, prints, or patterns. Traditional Japanese origami, which has been practiced since the Edo period (1603–1868), was often less strict about conventions and allowed cutting the paper or using non-square shapes to start with. The principles of origami are also used in stents, packaging, and other engineering applications.
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House of Origami