Quick Guide to Learn Origami Via Internet

Origami - The Japanese art of Paper Folding is something that has fascinated me from a long time since I was a kid. I did learn a couple of things and then forgot. I went to college and forgot about it for a while. I got employed and became a Consultant. I had this creative edge which kept emerging once in a while throughout my journey as a student and then as an employee. During my visit to Japan couple of years back I fell in love with paper craft again. Then again with work pressure and lot of other things going in my life it somewhat subsided.

Recently while surfing internet I stumbled upon some great Origami collections. And the it started all over again. I started looking at what an amazing art this art of Origami is. With just using simple folding techniques you can make great creations.

I relived my encounter with two little Origami Swans or Cranes couple of years back. They were amazingly cute birds, made of Japanese printed paper in my Tokyo hotel room at Court Annex, Roopongi and sitting on my desk. I immediately fell in love with that piece of art. I finished my project there and came back with those little birds, courtesy of the "receptionist"there. I had them for quiet a while till some kid came in my house and tore it. I always wanted to learn making them again. Currently, I have taken a break from work and am busy with raising a one year old beautiful baby girl. I find this creative edge is surfacing again.

I had bought some printed Japanese paper, those which are especially used for origami. It is called Washi. The term "wa" means Japanese and "shi" means paper. They are the most widely used paper for Origami in Japan. Other types of papers are Aizome, Chiyogami, Momi, Shiwazome, Unryu, Yuzen. I bought Washi from the famous TOKYU HANDS shop. Unfortunately they do not have a website in English and have branches only in Japan and Taiwan. I take these papers with me wherever I go. I moved from India to US now and these papers are still with me.

In the hope that I will make these lovely birds again from those paper I have done some research. For thousands of years the Japanese culture has treasured the crane as a symbol of honor and loyalty. The Traditional Japanese Papercrane or ORIZURU is famous throughout the world. It is a symbol of origami, and a symbol of peace. An ancient Japanese legend says that whoever folds 1000 cranes will be granted a wish.

Here is a glimpse of what I could find over internet and hope to utilize them to make these again for my little daughter to enjoy and later teach her this fine art as she grows. For now my aim is to master the Origami crane and make a hanging crane mobile for my daughter.

Need inspiration-

Mentioned below are some of the amazing examples of what can be done using Origami.

Video Links of Origami art.

Origami Swan Basket
The famous 3D Swan
Big 3D Origami: Lithuania 1009-2009
A trip to Oriland-Land of virtual Origami
Robert J Lang Origami - Great inspiring Collection

Interesting DIY Origami project Videos and Diagrams

You can try these even if it is your first time.

• Flying Bird

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Origami-Flying-Bird

• Origami Flapping Crane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpwnHpXUuow

• How to fold a paper Crane. This link includes video with written instructions.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/387698/how_to_fold_an_origami_paper_crane_orizuru/

• This butterfly is also really cute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42RrvNxUaVA&feature=related

• This is the closest to the crane I was looking for. Only the paper was more colorful and thin perhaps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9VF3gdf_Hk

If you have mastered the above by now making a crane take it to the next level.

• Hanging Crane Mobile

http://hangingorigami.squarespace.com/

• Convert a crane into a hydralisk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyLyWhRwvOU

• Origami Lotus

http://www.origamitube.com/play.php?vid=239

• Origami Hyacinth

http://www.origamitube.com/play.php?vid=148

If you want to pursue this art further then the following information about the Origami paper , books, societies might be helpful.

• https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss__0_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=origami+paper&sprefix=origami+pap

• http://www.origamisources.com/

• http://home.earthlink.net/~robertcubie/origami/resources.html

• American National Society devoted to Origami

http://www.origami-usa.org/

Have fun.