Hello dear masters and craftswomen. I present to your attention a master class on making such an origami swan, and I called it “Swan in Pink”. How to make an origami swan? We will make a pink drawing, select the swan with pink modules around the perimeter and put it on round stand, and also glue small eyes. Please watch this video on making an origami swan. AT […]

Hello dear masters and craftswomen! Today I bring to your attention a master class on making a Swan tricolor from triangular modules. It would seem, what else can you think of, what other options are there for making Swans using the modular origami technique. But it turns out that there are still options and this is not the last thing in my arsenal. The tricolor swan is so simple […]

Hello dear masters and craftswomen! I bring to your attention new master class for making a Swan in black from 3D modules. In the last lesson, we made a Swan in red, and now I decided to change the style a bit and make a Swan in black. The scheme is not complicated and will suit anyone, even a beginner in modular origami. Specially […]

Hello dear masters and craftswomen! I bring to your attention a new master class on making a Swan in red shades. On the Internet you can meet great amount various schemes and workshops for making Swans using the modular origami technique. I am sure that you have never seen such a swan. This scheme is quite simple and even […]

Swan in blue. Video tutorials and diagram. Part 3. In the third part of the master class, I offer you two video lessons and detailed diagram origami how to make a swan. The first video shows how to make a swan neck and how to make a small stand. The second video talks about how to glue a swan better and faster. Lesson 6 (neck and […]

Swan in blue. Video tutorials and diagram. Part 2. In the second part of the "Swans in Blue" mater class, we complete the torso. I have prepared for you two video tutorials and a detailed origami swan diagram from modules. To assemble the swan, you will need 1438 1/16 size modules, of which: 317 - purple modules 471 - blue modules 552 - blue […]

Swan in blue. Video tutorials and diagram. Part 1. I bring to your attention a new master class on making an origami paper swan from 3D origami modules. The scheme is rather unusual and the appearance of the wing is not quite classic. In the photo you can see small through holes and a mesh pattern. Frankly, the scheme is quite complicated! Especially for this scheme, I […]

“Rainbow Swan” scheme and video tutorials (part 3). The third part of the "Rainbow Swan" master class consists of three video tutorials on assembling the stand. And I also decided that a video tutorial on gluing the "Rainbow Swan" would be very useful to you. Lesson 5 (stand part 1) Lesson 6 (stand part 2) Lesson 7 (stand part 3) […]

On March 30, 2018, within the framework of the "Days of Japan" dedicated to the Year of Japan in Russia, the final stage of the origami competition took place, the participants of which were students of Omsk State University named after. Dostoevsky. The organizers of this large-scale event were the Omsk branch of the Russia-Japan Society and the Department of Foreign Languages ​​of Omsk State University. Dostoevsky (1 building of Omsk State University).

Origami is a type of Japanese arts and crafts, which consists in creating paper figures without the use of scissors and glue. In ancient Japan, origami had a ritual character, and was also folk tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Now origami helps to decorate the interior, but for some it becomes just a hobby, just as, according to experts, the technique of folding paper figures helps the development of children's motor skills. To achieve a good result in the manufacture of origami figurines, you need to correctly select the color and thickness of the paper. In fact, there are a great many diagrams of figurines, which, despite the apparent complexity, can be easily understood by studying a single system of conventional signs.

According to the rules of the competition, the participants had to make three origami figures and come up with a legend for each. I also decided to participate in this competition ...

The first figurine for the competition, I chose a classic crane. It is a symbol of happiness in Japan. And the Japanese crane is also associated with the tragic fate of Sadako Sasaki, a girl from Hiroshima who was stricken with radiation sickness. She believed in the legend of 1,000 paper cranes, but only managed to make 644. After learning about this story, children from all over the world began to send paper cranes to the Sasaki Sadako monument. This is a story about protest against war, about peace. For my crane, I chose thick paper so that the figure has clear curves. I drew a story in the style of manga - Japanese comics, because I thought that in this way my work would be associated with Japan. (In Japan, manga is read by people of all ages, it is respected as a form of visual arts, and as a literary phenomenon, therefore, there are many works of various genres and on a wide variety of topics: adventure, romance, sports, history, humor, science fiction, horror, erotica, business, and others).

My second figurine was the Koi carp (koi is Japanese for “carp”). It was brought to Japan by settlers from China and has long been a symbol of strength and movement against the current. For carp, I chose thick paper, but here it is to show the smoothness and streamlining of its forms.

The third figurine is a Japanese dragon. The dragon is one of the main characters in Japanese legends. It is believed that the first dragon appeared in Japan, and on its paws there were only three fingers. For the dragon, I chose thinner paper, because the figurine has a lot of curves, and I didn't want it to be "heavier" due to the density of the paper itself.

Anastasia Egorina, a student of the Faculty of Physics, who participated in the competition, like me, prepared three wonderful figurines - the Dove of Peace, the dragon Yamata no Orochi and goldfish. She told me in more detail about her origami the following:

“I decided to participate in the competition because I wanted to try myself in a creative way. I was prompted to create the “Dove of Peace” by the desire to remind people that even in our time one should not forget about kindness and understanding, about the need for dialogue between countries. It is necessary to try to save this fragile world. And I was inspired to create a dragon by the Japanese legend about the terrible monster Yamata no Orochi. And I was also prompted to create the Golden Fish by the desire to tell that, despite the small area of ​​​​Japan itself, there is such a diverse and beautiful flora and fauna on its territory.

I want to tell you my favorite legend, in honor of which I made my dragon Yamata no Orochi. According to legend, he terrified the country of Izumo for seven years in a row, devouring the daughters of the earthly god Ashinazuchi and his wife Tenazuchi. The god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, who appeared on the eighth year, agreed with his parents to kill the dragon, asking their last daughter, Kusinada-Hime, as a reward. Yamata no Orochi himself is described as follows: “His eyes are like cherry berries, he has a body with eight heads, moss and trees grow on it. The body of the dragon covers eight valleys and eight hills, and its belly is bloody and engulfed in flames. Susanoo no Mikoto made the dragon drunk with sake from eight barrels, and when he fell asleep drunk, he cut him into small pieces. In one of the tails, Susanoo found Kusanagi's sword, which he presented to his sister, the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. I chose the colors based on my aesthetic desires. I'm new to origami making, so I thought the thinnest paper would help me do everything more neatly and effectively.

Another student of the Faculty of Physics, Denis Sidorenko, prepared three figurines using the modular origami technique, and also told a legend that united all his characters - a dragon, a witch and a warrior:

“I decided to participate in the competition because I like to make various crafts including origami. I wanted to do something interesting, so for the dragon I chose the modular origami technique, the warrior was assembled from 3 parts (helmet, sword and cloak), and the witch from a modular base and 3 additional parts (hats, capes and brooms). At first I came up with a legend, and then I made such figures. My legend tells of a witch seeking a powerful amulet guarded by a dragon, and of a warrior who was deceived by the witch. But as a result, the warrior defeated both the witch and the dragon. To create the modules, I bought a special thick paper for origami, and for the rest of the parts I took the usual, thinner one, so that the elements of the witch's and warrior's clothes looked more natural. For the dragon, I chose bright colors (red, white, and green), and for the warrior and witch, darker colors (black, blue, and purple) to make the figures look more impressive.”

A student of the Faculty of IMIT - Sofia Torubara, who became the winner of the competition, surprised with an unusual legend about two dragons, as well as the complexity of her figurines:

“Japan attracts special attention because it is different from the rest of the world, which is the reason for the special interest in this country. I wanted to try my hand at origami, and the competition also inspired me to come up with a legend for my craft - and this is doubly creative work. It was exactly the moment when you say to yourself: yes, this is the right time to try your hand. I really like dragons, they are legendary all over the world. This has not bypassed Japan. The schemes were not easy, but, in fact, working with them was very exciting. Each even bend inspired in its own way, as if you revive the paper with your own hands, and this cannot but rejoice. In Japanese culture, fish is mentioned very often as a symbol of purity, tranquility, which is why I chose the fish as the third figurine. The stories were fun to work with. It was an occasion to look on the Internet and read Japanese legends. It turned out that they have a very unusual, especially for us, way of narration: in children's fairy tales you can meet someone's heroic, samurai death or get acquainted with unprecedented legendary creatures and gods that you had never even heard of before. I managed to find one not entirely known fairy tale, which hooked me with its wisdom. I came up with the second fairy tale myself, relying on knowledge of Japanese culture. The meaning was conveyed briefly, almost like in haiku J But it was not easy with the quality of the paper - in Russia there is a small selection of paper for such work, so it was enough for me to find a less dense paper, different from ordinary, thick (office).

I didn’t choose the color of each figurine… But I would say, rather, they chose themselves, the stories themselves implied this or that color in the symbolism. Carp has long been considered golden, the color of the sun, power, longevity and ambition. Dragons, by their nature, in the legend are comparable precisely as two opposite, but harmonizing colors: black-white, yin-yang, red-blue.

At the competition, among the members of the jury, was Kruglova Irina Alekseevna - Ph.D. Sci., Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Methods of Teaching Mathematics, IMIT Omsk State University. F.M. Dostoevsky, master of origami. She headed the work of the jury in this competition.

Irina Alekseevna told us a little about how her acquaintance with the world of origami began:

“I have been consciously and passionately engaged in origami since 1993. Participated and made presentations at St. Petersburg and Omsk conferences on origami. For many years she taught the inter-faculty special course "Working with origami schemes" for students of Omsk State University. I am one of the organizers of the Omsk Origami Center. The Omsk Origami Center holds unique intramural and correspondence festivals and origami competitions, in which not only Russian but also foreign participants participate.

We also learned from Irina Alekseevna how the works were evaluated, about the criteria and, specifically, about the figures of each participant. The main criteria for checking origami work are: the correctness of the addition of the model according to the scheme; the clarity and accuracy of the addition of folds; the originality of the model; the technical complexity of the model; the skill of implementation (choice of paper, etc.).

After all, the art of origami is something more than just folding interesting figures from a sheet of paper. The name "origami" comes from the Japanese words "ori" - folding and "gami (kami)" - paper. Occupation origami has always organically fit into the system of Eastern views on the world inherent in the philosophy of Zen Buddhism. The square as the basis for folding the figures was not chosen by chance; in the East, it is not just a geometric figure, but an important ideological symbol, personifying the earth that is connected with space, the limits of which were boundless. Thus, in Zen Buddhism, the square is the embodiment of the Universe with its emptiness of space and at the same time endless possibilities of creation.

According to I.A. Kruglova, the students participating in the competition picked up successful models that demonstrate philosophy and important points stories. She noted that the choice of models is a dove of peace, a carp, a dragon, etc. - very successful and the figures were well described by the students in the legends, which they themselves voiced in the final of the competition. So Sidorenko D. (FFB 701) pleased with originality. To implement his ideas, he combined various models, completing them with each other. Minkova A. (FPB-703) did a good job with the texture of paper, her “Karp” is a technically difficult model that looks the most impressive in this design.

There are simpler models, and there are very complex ones, the description of which takes more than one page and requires technical skill. It was this model of the dragon that S. Torubara chose and performed very well.

Text: Minkova Alexandra
FPB-703, Omsk State University F.M. Dostoevsky
[email protected]

A photo: Korotkevich Bohdan
[email protected]

Omsk Branch of the Russia-Japan Society

The word "origami" consists of two Japanese words "ori" - "folded instantly" and "kama" - "divine paper". Many centuries ago, this art originated in Japan and has found wide distribution in the world. Knowledge was passed down from generation to generation through the female line and carefully guarded. In Japan, origami is a reflection of the culture of the local people and their philosophy. Where did origami come from? What is this direction today, and what techniques exist?

History of paper

In ancient China, wooden boards and silk were used to record information. It was extremely inconvenient to use writing boards, there is an example when a courtier wrote an article for the emperor on three thousand boards. Silk, although it was convenient to use, was very expensive. Later, felt and wool were used for writing.

How was the process of making the first paper?

Pieces of wool thread were taken and dissolved in water, after which they were collected, dried and pressed.

105 BC is considered to be the year of the invention of paper, when one of the courtiers reported to the emperor about the invention of an excellent writing material - soaked bamboo stalks combined with crushed mulberry bark. The result was an imperial decree banning the use of wooden boards for recording, instead of which it was recommended to use only paper.

History of the invention of paper

Dissemination of knowledge about paper production

In the fifth century AD, paper money already existed in China, which was popularly called "flying coins". And in the sixth century, real paper books appeared.

The secret of making paper was carefully kept by the Chinese. But in the seventh century AD, one of the monks who knew the secret of making paper, during his wanderings, betrayed the secret to the Japanese. They, in turn, improved the Chinese technology and obtained better quality paper.

At first, paper was made from silkworm cocoons. Then, bamboo stalks were used as raw materials. The appearance of the first large paper mill dates back to 1870 in Tokyo.

Today, few masters know the secrets of paper production in Japan. In addition to large-scale paper production, there are also small workshops that make paper by hand. Such paper costs a lot of money, it is distinguished by high strength and the possibility of many folds, such paper is called “your”. By the way, it was on it that the Versailles Treaty was signed after the First World War.

The use of paper in Chinese religious ceremonies

In the birthplace of paper, in China, it was used, including for religious ceremonies. It was customary to burn his belongings along with the dead, so that he could use his belongings in another world. Gradually, this ritual was replaced by another: in order to save money, the things of the deceased were not burned, but left to the heirs. Paper was also used to write wishes for happiness and good luck. Also, over time, people found more and more use for this material - they made hanging lanterns, umbrellas, she, screens from paper.

Philosophy of origami

Important!!!

AT classic version origami is the creation of a figure from a solid square, without any cuts.

Home of origami ancient japan. The ideas of Zen Buddhism, which are widespread, are also reflected in the art of working with paper. The basis for folding is a square, this is not an accident. The square in is a symbol of the earth, which intersects with space, personifies the infinite Universe. In the East, the square is revered much more than any other geometric figure. The goal of origami is to extract the maximum number of different shapes from a square.

In origami, objects interpenetrate each other - this is how the idea is embodied that everything is connected with everything. No wonder origami forbids cutting paper, because then the destruction of the One will occur.

Unlike other art forms, such as sculpture, origami gives you the opportunity to create only within the limits of those possibilities that are available when creating a shape from a square. Thus, only what is natural for a square can be used.

Shinto ideas in the art of origami

The history of the emergence and spread of origami is directly related to Japanese Shinto. The adherents of this religion are characterized by the fact that each object contains a kami - a deity. The more unusual an object, the more divine it is. Paper still occupies a special place in the rituals of the Japanese. For example, at the entrance to Buddhist temples, a zigzag gohei (paper folded in a special way) hangs, it is customary to hang the same gohei on the belt of sumo wrestlers before the start of the fight. Houses often have eight kata-shiro paper figures, believed to bring happiness and good luck to the house. In order to drive away evil spirits, haram-geese are used - a broom made of strips of white paper.

The use of origami in social life

Since the 12th century, the art of origami appears in secular life, it is even recognized at the imperial court. It was considered good tone mastery of the art of beautiful paper folding. With the help of beautifully folded paper, gratitude, love, care for the recipient were expressed.

In the 16th century, paper ceases to be a luxury item, and with it the art of origami comes to every home, gaining widespread popularity and popular love. During this period, most of the figures appear, which later become classics, for example, the tsuru crane - a symbol of happiness and longevity in Japan.

The art of beautiful paper folding was passed down in the family through the female line; by the manner of folding, they could even determine whether a girl belonged to one or another region of the country.

The emergence of educational books on origami

The first Japanese book devoted to origami is called "Semba-tsuru-orikata", which translates as "fold a thousand cranes" (according to legend, a thousand paper cranes contribute to the fulfillment of desires). The whole book is devoted to folding the crane in 29 different variations.

In 1845, the book “The Midwinter Window” was published, which describes how several dozen figures can be folded out of paper. So origami becomes a matter for which you can pass a long winter evening.

In 1879, a book was published by the director of one of the schools for girls, where he describes how to fold twenty basic origami figures - "Orikata". This book was the first to be translated into English.

The popularity of origami in the world

The surge in popularity of origami falls on the post-war period, when the Japanese master Akiro Yoshizawa published a book where he taught the art of origami by example. simple circuits. He also owns the author's development of more than a hundred new figures. The book became popular all over the world, and its creator, on behalf of the Government of Japan, went to training seminars around the world. So the art of origami has become a means of international communication around the world.

Origami art in Europe

Of course, I Europe had an interest in folding paper figures even before the spread japanese origami. For example. The first European origami figure, most likely, can be considered Spanish birds - “pajaritas”, the appearance of which can be attributed to the 12th century.

In the 19th century, one of the teachers of geometry, Friedrich Fröbel, began to use origami for a simpler and more understandable way explanation of the laws and rules of geometry.

The famous writer Lewis Carroll was delighted when he managed to make a toy by folding paper. Leo Tolstoy described in one of his articles the delight of learning the art of origami and noted how much joy and delight this occupation brings to children.

In 1937, Margaret Campbell's book was born in London, which for the first time described how to fold the three main Japanese figures - a bird, a water butterfly and a frog.

Pros of learning origami techniques

Origami gives many "pluses" to those who decide to master this ancient art:

• Origami trains the memory and imagination of both adults and children.
• When working with fingers, the left hemisphere of the brain becomes active - this affects the improvement of speech.

Origami material

To create origami figures, you can use any paper. In Japan, they often use special paper for origami - "Kami", which translates from Japanese as "paper". It can be either completely white or multi-colored or even colored. It is slightly lighter than regular paper in weight.

A foil type of paper is also used - a “sandwich” is a sheet of paper to which a sheet of foil is glued. Such paper allows the product to keep its shape for a long time and is malleable for folding paper figures. The Japanese often use a special type of "washi" paper - this is a tougher type of paper that is made from rice, wheat, bamboo, and tree bark.

Origami technique: paper and fold technique

Over the centuries of the existence of origami, information about it passed orally from person to person: something could be lost, something was distorted, something new was added. In general, today origami is the art of working with a paper square and creating figures from it without the use of cuts or glue.

The art of origami is learned from mastering the basic forms - these are the forms that are basic and from which the formation of a particular figure occurs.

Important!!!

Particular attention is paid to the corners - they must be very sharp. In many ways, the accuracy and beauty of the product depends on the study of the sharpness of the corners.

What are the types of origami techniques?

modular origami Simple Origami Flat Fold Wet Fold

This is a type of origami in which the figure is made up of a number of components. Parts (modules) are folded from a separate sheet of paper, and then assembled into a single figure. The force of friction prevents the figure from falling apart. This type of origami is extremely popular all over the world, the most famous figure is kusudama (3D spherical product).

Kusudama - translated from Japanese means "medicinal ball", this is a figure consisting of many identical pyramids. Pyramids are most often stylized flowers made separately from a sheet of paper.

Style simple origami was invented and developed by the Englishman John Smith. With this approach, folds can be made "by eye", the smaller they are, the better.

Unfolding

This type of origami, which uses paper on which the places of folds and folds are already drawn. The author of the model only needs to fold a sheet of paper according to the instructions.

Wet folding

The wet folding technique was developed by Akira Yoshizawa. Wet folding uses water pre-moistened with water. It is believed that with this approach, the paper acquires smooth lines, the figure becomes brighter and more expressive. Not any paper is suitable for such a technique, but only one that incorporates water-soluble glue - dense types of paper.

Conclusion:

Origami is an ancient art. Today it is used for table setting, gift wrapping, souvenir making.

Origami has always been an important part cultural life Japan. But even today this type of art is used in various spheres of life of modern Japanese.

Firstly, folding paper figures is included in the program elementary school in Japan. These classes develop coordination of fingers and hands, form research skills, communication skills, fantasy, imagination, creativity, spatial thinking, cultivate perseverance, stimulate the development of memory, introduce basic geometric concepts in practice, teach observation, help increase the activity of the left and right hemispheres brain.

Secondly, in no country in the world is the offering ritual developed with such care as in Japan. Here it is considered impolite to give money or any things without first wrapping them in paper or cloth. The custom of wrapping gifts is named origata and it originated as one of the elements of samurai etiquette about 600 years ago. According to this custom, it was necessary to fold Japanese paper in a certain way. washi, used as decoration in formal ceremonies or gift wrapping. Origata - politeness embodied in nice shape, which was born in the bowels of Japanese culture and planted its seeds in the hearts of the Japanese.

“New styles of origata are in line with the spirit of modern life, and we introduce them in classrooms, at exhibitions and on the pages of the books we publish,” says Yamaguchi Nobuhiro, designer, director of the Origata Design Institute, located in Tokyo's Aoyama district. In origata, in this visible form, expressing the desire to be polite, the most important thing is a sense of respect towards the one to whom you present a gift.

Yamaguchi says that the Japanese washi paper used for these purposes should be strong, flexible, and preferably handmade. “Then you can start folding from either end, and the result will certainly please you. If you want to wrap your gift nicely, use high quality washi.”

The method of folding will depend on what item you are wrapping, on what occasion and what time of the year you will be presenting a gift. In any case, it must be wrapped in such a way that when looking at the package it is immediately clear what is inside. With all the diversity options Gift wrapping must adhere to strict guidelines developed over the centuries. The color, quality and design of the paper, the choice of the appropriate colored ribbon and the shape of its knot are important. So, a red and white ribbon is used in the case of presenting a gift on an auspicious occasion, black and white - to express sympathy and grief. Each occasion has its own version of paper. “Gift wrapping in Japanese is called tsutsumi. This word came from the verb tsutsushima, What does it mean to be careful, respectful.

The meaning of a gift wrapper has long been not only in the function of giving an additional decorative effect to the offering, but also in expressing deep respect, demonstrated by the ritual protection of the gift from the dirt and filth of the surrounding world. The packaging of the gift carried not only the material, but also the spiritual, even sacred meaning, i.e. we can say that it is no less important than the gift itself.

The following examples of origata styles for decorative paper wrapping can be cited as an example. High-quality tea is very often presented in Japan as a gift. In this case, black tea is wrapped in paper (it is called kotya or “red tea”), as evidenced by red paper, wrapped with a film and inserted into the opening of the package (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Packaging for tea

Envelopes for chopsticks served during formal events, such as a banquet or New Year's Eve meal (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Envelopes for chopsticks

Thirdly, it has long been understood that origami includes a variety of techniques that can be used in science. So, origami master Tomoko Fuse developed a method for folding a sheet of paper into a cylinder with a bottom and even received a patent for an invention in the United States. Her method could find application in making instant noodle containers. They are usually made by gluing several sheets of paper together. Using the Fuse method, you can make containers from only one sheet without glue. This will simplify the production process and reduce costs.

Kyoto University scientists are investigating how to use origami to build a spacecraft known as the "photon rocket" that moves freely in a zone of high light energy. A model of such a device is being developed in the USA. Japanese experts have come up with a spiral structure for the ship, "folded" like origami with a wide sail that will open in space.

Space scientists in Japan, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo and metal company Castem, have made nine origami models of space shuttles. These shuttles are made of special lightweight paper from sugar cane stalks. So that they were not afraid of heat and water, the material was treated with special chemicals, the size of paper courts is 38 centimeters long, 22 centimeters wide. Weight - 29 grams.

The final products turned out to be so durable that neither a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius, nor even movement at speeds up to 8600 kilometers per hour will stop them.

Fourth, origami can help the industry. At the Tokyo Institute of Technology, experts are working on the use of origami in a new car model for protection in case of accidents. So, scientists came to the conclusion that due to origami technology, it is possible to create a car body that will "open" like a flower and thus be protected from deformation during an accident.

Katsushi Nosho worked as a designer for Toyota Motor for more than thirty years, creating new forms of cars. Since to embody in metal the drawings of each new car for a long time, he created paper models. Passion for origami allowed the Japanese designer not only to become the author of many original models of trucks and cars, but also to begin to introduce Japanese children to the world history of the automotive industry with their help (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Machine models

Fifthly, the art of origami is becoming so popular that it penetrates into everyday life. A vivid proof of this is this bag from Japanese designers, made in the spirit of origami art. Its highlight lies in the possibility of transformation: it can be laid out like a tablecloth, and then assembled and carried with you (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Bag

Sixth, architects and builders saw in origamous design opportunities for creating multifaceted structures from a flat sheet. A new term has even emerged - origamika. This art, based on three technological operations: folding, bending and cutting a paper sheet, reaches a new level of spatial shaping and aesthetic development of these forms. Skillful reproduction of three-dimensional layouts on paper allows you to better imagine how the building will look from any point of view, from any angle, in any light.

In addition, origami is also used when working with the elderly. Professor Kawashima Ryuta is a researcher in brain physiology at the Institute of Age-Related Medicine at Tohoku University. He showed that doing origami increased blood flow through the prefrontal area of ​​the brain, helping it work better. That is why many clubs for the elderly have opened origami circles. One of these clubs, Senior Network Sendai, hosts origami gatherings once a week. They are visited by elderly people aged from sixty to eighty years. They chose the words as their slogan: "The joy of acquaintance with origami - three times in a lifetime." This means that the first time people encounter origami is in childhood; then, becoming parents, they tell their children about it and, finally, for the third time they open origami already in old age.

The Association of Applied Mathematicians has created an origami research task force, which includes scientists, engineers and other lovers of this art. The group is looking for applications of the origami technique in industrial design and technology. Engineers are confident that the art of origami can be widely used in industry.

Food container maker Toyo Seikan is already using the origami technique to make beer cans and other cans. The lids are stamped together with a special diamond cutting, so it is much easier to open such a jar.

The author of diamond cutting - Koryo Miura, a former professor at the Institute of Space Research and Astronautics - invented the "Miura folding" technology. Using his method, you can fold products from sheets of paper, foil and metal, and then unfold them with ease. Large maps, folding according to the Miura method, have become especially widespread throughout the world.

Thus, advances in the technique of using paper indicate the possibility of a wide application of this method. This is due to the fact that origami is distinguished by its simplicity and versatility. Experts call origami "technology of the XXI century." After all, there is no limit to improvement here. Thousands and thousands of various designs are made up of one part (sheet).

Ksenia Kolosova

Good day, dear readers of my site. Outside the window we have spring, spring gardens are blooming, and the girls are putting on more and more eye-catching outfits. Beauty, and only. But beauty can be found not only in girlish figures. She is all around us. The beauty of the living world: nature, plants and animals - all of them are carriers of a unique and very peculiar beauty.

Origami- a type of arts and crafts that came to us from Japan. A distinctive feature of origami crafts from other products made from paper is the use of one single sheet of paper. The sheet cannot be cut and glued. This rule is one of the strictest in this art. In rare cases, exceptions are made to the rule, but they rather confirm the general position and speak of a very specific view of the Japanese on the “whole”. A single form appears from a single sheet, representing a symbol, the meaning of which the author is trying to convey with the help of his work. Perhaps such a definition may seem too abstruse and pretentious, but it only superficially reflects the true attitude of the Japanese to the art of folding a sheet of paper.

Art historians see in origami not only pure art in the author-spectator format, but rather a kind of synthesis of scientific activity and creativity. Indeed, in no other art you will be able to find such a combination of visual beauty and rigor. geometric shapes. Geometry plays an important role in origami, without it it is impossible to create a more or less harmonious figure. Geometry has made folding a sheet of paper a great exercise for the intellect, and at the same time it has generated a source of non-standard design ideas and solutions. For these and many other reasons, origami has gained popularity in our materialistic world.

The history of the art of paper folding is actually quite short. If we compare it with the rest of the historical and cultural heritage of Japan, then origami is a rather young art form. Paper came to Japan from China and at that time was a very expensive thing. It should also be noted that literacy was the exclusive domain of the ruling aristocracy and ministers of religious institutions. Therefore, it is not surprising that the science of folding a sheet of paper originated and began to actively develop precisely in these estates. At first, paper figures, along with ikebana, were used mainly during services in temples. In these historical roots lies the basis of the philosophy of origami.

Origami. Traditional Japanese arts.

Some researchers suggest that the art of sheet folding became widespread due to the strong influence of religion on the upper classes of ancient Japanese society. At the end of the XVI century. At the beginning of the XVII century, the art of origami penetrates from religious to social life society and is gradually becoming more popular. Thanks to the work of Akira Yoshizawa, the art of folding a sheet of paper has acquired its current form. The works of this master have become classics of the genre. He proposed a way to create instructions for adding figures, recording the process of creating origami. Thanks to his technique, the learning process was greatly facilitated and the spread of origami began to occur at a greater speed.

The interpenetration of cultures, which occurred along with the end of Japan's isolation from the rest of the world, dealt a serious blow to the traditional life of the inhabitants of Japan. However, it also had positive aspects. One of these advantages was the spread of the culture of the country beyond its borders. Origami has not become an exception in this case, and since the twentieth century it has become famous in many countries of the world. Thanks to cultural exchange, Italian, French and American surnames began to appear in the lists of masters. Until recently, this trend was ignored in the USSR and Russia.

Origami. Traditional arts of Japan.

Fundamentals of the art of origami.

For beginners, despite the apparent simplicity, folding complex geometric shapes, can be quite a difficult task. If a person thinks that the hint system should explain everything to him, then he is mistaken. Sometimes they just make it even more confusing. You need to learn how to read hints. Of course, if your desire is limited to the skills of folding just a few figures, then you can use fairly detailed instructions and achieve some success. If your goal is to seriously master the skills of creating origami, then you need to learn the basics.

Each movement over a sheet of paper has its own special purpose. The main of them denotes a fold and is called gori or valley, depending on the direction.

If the corner of the sheet is bent towards the viewer, then it is indicated by a solid line and is called the valley. The arrowhead that indicates the direction of the fold is always filled in. In the case when the corner is bent away from the observer, it is indicated by a dash-dotted line, the tip of the arrow in this case is always hollow. This type of bend is called a mountain. An additional hint - the invisible sides of the sheet are usually indicated by a dotted line.

If the sheet that was folded is returned to its original state, then folds will be visible on it. Any complex figure has a large number of folds. The fold type is defined in the same way as the fold type, but there are some differences. The arrow indicating the fold is bidirectional, the lines indicating the folds are usually displayed once.

Two closed arrows indicate that the sheet must be turned over in a plane. A vertically twisted arrow indicates that the sheet needs to be rotated on the other side about the vertical axis. If the diagram has a straight arrow with strokes, then it is necessary to repeat the action with other symmetrical elements as many times as the number of strokes shown on the arrow.

Let's try a little harder.

If you carefully study the process of creating origami, it becomes clear that there is a certain set of basic forms. It is believed that there are only 15 forms. They can be divided into simple, medium, complex and very complex. Simple shapes include a kite, a triangle, a door, and a book. Forms of medium complexity are fish, pancake, double square, double triangle. Complex forms in origami include a frog, a house, a catamaran, a bird. The most complex type of form is pancake. These include pancake frog, pancake water bomb, pancake double square.

The story about all the forms used in origami and operations with them will take a lot of time, so this article will focus only on the form of a bird.

First you need to fold a double square. Then, at each corner of the sheet, a double fold must be made. The folds will be used to hide the corners inside the figure. We got a figure remotely similar to a bird, but if you have a good imagination, you can easily see wings and a head with a beak.

Prepare a sheet of paper!

How to start your creative path as a young origami master? One of the classic images in origami is the "crane". There is an old legend according to which the most cherished desire the one who makes a thousand of these figurines. Whether this is true or not, no one seems to know. Let's learn how to fold the "crane". First we need to prepare a standard bird shape. We will immediately modify this shape - make the neck thinner, select it. Next, with the help of folds, select the tail. Then we bend the tail, wings and neck, more clearly select the head. That's all. Our crane is complete! Now grab the points indicated in the figure with your fingers and pull. The crane flapped its wings! Most likely, it is thanks to this feature that the crane has become one of the most popular figures.

I would like to hope that our short journey into the world of origami was not in vain for you. If you are interested hand crafts of this kind, then on the Internet you can easily find diagrams of dozens of different origami. Train and hone your skills.