| The birthplace of origami is still a mystery. Paper | | | | squares of paper, often colored on one side only. |
| was developed in China in the first century A.D., | | | | This helps to enhance the three dimensional |
| and Buddhist monks brought it to Japan by the | | | | effect of the item being folded. The paper is also |
| sixth century A.D. However there are not many | | | | very thin, allowing it to be folded many times. |
| written records from that time, so it is not | | | | Origami items can also be made from scrap |
| known whether origami first began in China or | | | | paper, such as standard printer paper. This is |
| Japan. However, no one will argue that Japan | | | | often best for paper airplanes, due to its weight |
| developed origami to a high art form. The word | | | | and size: larger airplanes (of a given design) |
| origami is Japanese: oru means "to fold", and kami | | | | generally fly better. True origami is made from |
| means "paper". | | | | one piece of paper without using scissors, glue or |
| Many grownups remember making origami items | | | | decorative items such as markers. However, |
| as a child. It was often a case of watching as | | | | remember that the goal is to have fun, so use |
| another youngster showed how to make a paper | | | | what you like. |
| airplane or something similar. After a while, we | | | | The effect of origami as kids is to teach us |
| develop a set of origami instructions in our head, | | | | creativity, patience and following a process. As |
| for making several airplanes, boats, animals, water | | | | grownups, paper folding is a great stress reliever |
| balloons and other toys. | | | | and an effective way to bond further with our |
| As it turns out, there are only so many ways to | | | | kids. Whether you'd like to make a simple paper |
| fold paper. Developing a "language" of folding helps | | | | boat or fold an elephant out of a dollar bill, origami |
| simplify passing on origami teachings. Terms like | | | | is a fun, simple and inexpensive hobby. So get a |
| "mountain fold" and "valley fold" are used over | | | | piece of paper and start folding! |
| and over again. Basic fold patterns such as | | | | If you'd like to know more about origami, including |
| "square base" and "bird base" can be used as | | | | how to fold specific items, visit our site at |
| starting points for many different origami pieces. | | | | This article may be reprinted if proper credit is |
| From the basic building blocks, an effectively | | | | given and all links left intact. Copyright©2005 |
| infinite number of origami items can be made. | | | | Origami-Instructions. |
| Special origami kits are available. These contain | | | | |