The word "origami" translates to folded paper and it is in this basic simplicity that it's beauty lies. One needs only a sheet of paper, preferably square, and a reasonable amount of patience to produce a paper sculpture. Today paper is readily available in many colours, patterns and textures but this was not always the case.

We believe it originated in China around the first or second century A.D. It was a Chinese tradition to fold, from paper, objects from a deceased person's life which would then be buried with the body or burned. This practice is still carried on today in countries with Chinese religious influences such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

It took more than four hundred years for origami to reach Japan, but by the late eighth century it was significant part of the ceremonial life of Japanese nobility. During these ancient times it was known by other names such as Kami-Orimono, Orisue, Origata and Tatamigami. When samurai warriors exchanged gifts, they were often decorated with Noshi or tokens of good fortune made of folded paper and strips of dried meat or abalone. As paper became cheaper and more readily available, origami became a means of social stratification (i.e.. samurai and farmers folded in different styles).

The "Senbazuru Orikata" or "How to Fold One Thousand Cranes" dates from 1797 and is the oldest surviving origami publication. This book also marks the emergence of the bird base from which the crane, easily the most recognizable origami model, is folded. The first comprehensive collection of origami models was the "Kan No Mado" ("Window on Midwinter") in 1845. The frog base was included in this book for the first time.

Today we think of coloured squares of paper when we think of origami. It is believed that an enterprising paper merchant imported coloured papers from Europe in the late nineteenth century. He cut the paper into small squares and sold them in sets he called "origami". Many of the most recognizable traditional folds are from squares.

The art of folding paper is not only Japanese. North African Muslims or Moors developed it simultaneously and brought it to Spain when they invaded in the eighth century. This was around the time the Chinese brought it to Japan. Because it was contrary to the teachings of  Islam to make representational figures, development of the art took a different direction. Being expert mathematicians, the Moors explored the folding properties of the square. This geometric approach is evident in the older Spanish models. The Spaniards retained the art form even after the Moors were expelled.
Origami continued its journey, crossing both oceans and melding in North and South America. In North America origami appealed not to artists, but mathematicians, scientists and engineers. Magicians have adopted the art form for the practice in manual dexterity. In fact one of the first origami books written in English was by Harry Houdini in 1922. Leonardo Da Vinci made a study of some folded paper models in his "Codex Atlanticus" and evidence of origami appears in illustrations for Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass"

In short, origami can satisfy virtually any curiosity from flowers and animals, automobiles and air planes, to boxes and envelopes. Puzzle lovers will enjoy unit origami where any number of pieces can be folded identical to each other, then fitted together to form three dimensional polyhedrals. There are books available in stores and libraries all of these many forms.