Japanese figures from paper title. Origami in the culture of Japan. Pros of learning origami techniques

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

First, folding paper figures is part of the elementary school curriculum 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 is politeness, embodied in a beautiful form, 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 variety of possible options for gift wrapping, strict regulations developed over the centuries must be observed. 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 had not only material, but also 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 specialists have come up with a spiral structure for the ship, "folded" like origami with a wide sail, which will unfold 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, while the size of the paper ships 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 it takes quite a long time to embody the drawings of each new machine in metal, he created models from paper. 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

The history of origami goes back many centuries. Today, it has even become a symbol of a special philosophy, as well as a wish for peace and faith in a miracle. But where and when did the art of paper folding come to us? What do the Japanese themselves - the people who developed origami into an art - invest in it?

An amazing thing is the ability to fold paper into recognizable figures without the help of auxiliary means (glue, scissors). Kirigami (paper crafts using scissors) is, of course, also an art, no one argues with that. But you must admit, by cutting the sheet, we in some way simplify the “path” of creating crafts. In classic origami, this is unacceptable.

You should not look for an easy way, you should look for a solution, harmony, beauty, meaning. At the same time, you are solving a geometric and mathematical problem, even if you are not trained in these sciences. During addition, you are a meditating philosopher, a patient seeker, a whole person, able to create and give creation a part of your soul. You come close to understanding the fragility of everything that exists, and through this you comprehend eternity, the essence of life.

That's how much the Japanese see behind origami. However, Europeans and Arabs, far from these searches, also gladly accepted origami back in the 8th century. Just because it is beautiful, interesting and for that time -.

History of origami

It is quite natural that origami originated in China, in antiquity, when paper was invented. But the development of this art took place in Japan. At first, paper figures were made exclusively for religious ceremonies. Gradually, this tradition passed into secular culture, although only very wealthy people could afford this occupation.

According to some reports, butterflies were the first origami figures. They were made for the wedding of newlyweds, they symbolized the love and patronage of spirits.

However, origami did not come to Europe from the East (Japan or China). It was brought to Spain by wealthy Moors in the 11th century, and by the 15th century it had become traditional in the German lands. It became a tradition to make a special origami figurine out of a baptismal certificate for the happiness of a child, and in Spain by the 17th century there was a steady tradition of making the simplest forms in the form of a cap or hat, boat, houses where painted dolls could live.

Since then, origami masters began to appear in the western part of the world. One of the key moments in the development of origami was the proposal of Friedrich Fröbel to introduce this art as a course for development in kindergartens at the beginning of the 19th century.

In the 1960s, master Yoshizawa-Randletta developed a unified system of symbols that now help everyone to practice origami.

By the way, if you are interested in how real professionals work, then, of course, it is better to go to Japan. But to comprehend all the nuances and tricks of this art, you need to know the language. If you haven't mastered it yet, you have a great opportunity right now!

Types and "children" of origami

Modular origami is considered a modern achievement. It also does not use scissors and glue, but a large composition or “sculpture” is assembled from several integral figures (modules).

Types of origami:

  • Classic origami.
  • Simple origami - invented by British craftsman John Smith.
  • Origami pattern - beginners start with it, since a drawing of all the folds has already been applied to a sheet of paper. It only remains for a person, following the markup, to fold everything.
  • Wet folding is a development by Akira Yoshizawa, who wetted the paper to make the shapes flow. This is especially helpful if you want to make flowers or animals.

Origami paper

Almost any paper is suitable for origami, but many masters and beginners work with special paper "kami" in the form of a square from 2.5 to 25 cm or more. It comes in both completely white and one-sided color.

For more graphic figures, such as a crane, regular writing paper is suitable. But heavier types of paper are suitable for wet origami, and they are considered more durable. Foil paper (sandwich) perfectly maintains the shape of the figure and looks elegant.

In Japan itself, origami is made from tough washi paper. It is made from Edgeworthia papyrifera (“paper tree”, the bark is used), the fibers of which give the wood pulp a special stability and rigidity. The figures from it look like toys.

Origami and science

It is hard not to notice the severity of the geometric form in origami, but professionals and researchers see in this art not only the interaction of the author-spectator, but also the synthesis of science and creativity. First, origami is a warm-up for the mind. Secondly, people who know how to make at least a little origami are capable of non-trivial solutions, they develop the ability to take a non-standard view of the problem.

This is what concerns the positive impact on a person, but what about the more exact sciences? The subject of very serious research by mathematicians was the "flat bend" dilemma. The question was: Can a fold pattern be folded into a 2D model? Barry Hayes and Marshall Burnom proved that "planar model building is NP-complete". This was proved not by a simple addition of paper, but by mathematical formulas and calculations.

Basics of origami. Rules and notation

As we have already mentioned, there is a generally accepted scheme for folding (folding) signs, but oddly enough, not everyone can immediately master it. Very often, a beginner origami player confuses the rules. There are, of course, craftsmen who manage to add up even without schemes, but we assure you that this does not develop into art, but remains at the initial level.

The basics and rules are the basis of the basics, without them the master is illiterate. The priority is the "valley" fold - the corner is directed towards itself, and, depending on the "movement" of the fold, the "mountain" - the corner goes away from itself. "Valley" is indicated by hatching, and "mountain" by dotted lines.

The tip of the arrow indicates the direction of the fold. Sometimes the markup is multi-colored, in which case, you still need to know the sequence of colors (folds). In the diagrams, invisible sides are often also indicated (dotted lines).

In the initial position, a lot of folds appear on the sheet. These folds also have a designation, like folds. The difference is that the arrows to indicate them are bidirectional, and they are indicated only once.

Closed arrows offer to turn the sheet into the plane of the working side, or simply put, turn it over.

A spiral arrow means that you need to rotate the sheet along the vertical axis on the other side.

A straight arrow with strokes indicates the repetition of the action according to the number of strokes on the arrow. And you need to make these bends with elements that are symmetrical to each other.

Shape set

Of course, there is a set-base of shapes that many shapes consist of. In general, 15 forms can be distinguished and divided into: simple, medium, complex, pancake.

  • in the form of a book;
  • in the form of a triangle;
  • in the form of a kite;
  • in the form of a door.
  • in the form of a double triangle;
  • in the form of a double square;
  • in the form of a fish;
  • in the form of a pancake.
  • in the form of a catamaran;
  • in the form of a frog;
  • in the form of a house;
  • in the form of a bird.

Pancakes:

  • in the form of a pancake frog;
  • in the form of a pancake double square;
  • in the form of a water pancake bomb.

Scheme "Crane"

For example, consider the shape of a classic bird, because it is the basis for many beautiful figures.

First, fold a double square and make folds at each of the corners, they are necessary so that the corners are inside. You get a figure that vaguely resembles a bird, it serves as an impetus for fantasy and offers a kind of rebus in which you have to decide what to do next.

Highlight the neck, making it thin, then proceed to the tail. The head is distinguished by the bending of the neck, wings and tail. You can take on the places marked with dots, slightly stretch - and the crane will flap its wings.


The words "god" and "paper" in Japanese are consonant

Who does not know the myth of 1000 cranes: if you love in your heart and with all responsibility, fold a thousand paper cranes, and then present them to the people around you and receive a thousand smiles from them in return - all your desires will come true.

For some time now, the paper crane has become a symbol of getting rid of nuclear war and the fight against radiation sickness. But at the very beginning, before all forms, when they were only to be discovered, invented, known, origami in its simplest form served to scare away evil spirits.

Gofu amulets were used to attract good luck. Offerings were brought to the gods in paper boxes of burden, and the more intricate the box, the gods and spirits would be more favorable.

And in one, the most important legend about the Goddess of the Sun - Amaterasu, from whom all emperors descend, it says this:

Amaterasu was upset about something and hid in a cave, thereby hiding the light of the sun from all living things. In order to lure the goddess, other gods hung gohei amulets on a tree and placed the future regalia of emperors there. There were also such offerings: a jasper necklace Yasakani-no-magatama, a Yata-no-kagami mirror, roosters and much more. And for greater persuasiveness, the goddess Ame-no-uzume began to dance a kagura dance to the general laughter of other gods. Amaterasu became interested and looked out of the cave. She was grabbed by the hand and pulled out, quickly closing the entrance to the cave.

These gohei amulets - these were the first paper figures - origami.


When origami moved into secular circles, it became part of education, and every respected aristocrat was required to know at least the basics.

Very often, lovers sent love notes in the form of an origami flower or a crane to their loved ones. And origami butterflies symbolized transformation, that's why they were given for weddings. Wedding butterflies symbolized the bride and groom, who are destined to become husband and wife.

But classical origami acquired its foundations only after paper became more or less cheap. It was the common people who established the tradition and elevated paper folding to the rank of art. Mastery was passed down through the female line and acquired its own distinctive moments. From the seemingly identical figures, it was possible to understand which province they were from.

Mastery

The flexibility of the mind that exists in early childhood is lost as we grow older. In order for it not to be lost, there are many practices. But origami is one of the oldest and one of the most accessible. Here you need an internal “measuring device” that helps to bend just such a piece of paper that is needed at a time.

Each of us has folded an airplane at least once in our lives and knows that one eye is not enough. An inner feeling is needed, similar to tactile vision, wisdom.

Just think, it is difficult to do what is already known, but what were those? Discoveries in origami appeared along with the knowledge of the new. For example, you cannot make a giraffe out of paper without ever seeing the animal. You cannot create a modular copy of a molecule without knowing what it is.

Modernity and new symbols

The new symbolism is just a modern interpretation of the forgotten old. Not everyone understands Japanese philosophy, mythology, but everyone understands origami, which is transformed every time according to its time, but remains unchanged at its core.

This is one of the most honest arts in which there is no room for pretense. If you smeared something with glue or used scissors - this is not origami, and you know it. It may be hidden from others, but you are not a master if you lie to yourself.

And the main thing in origami - nothing is final. One and the same sheet of paper can be a frog, and a dog, and a portrait, and a tree ... The form is final only when the figurine becomes a gift.

After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the famous crane took on a new meaning. Radiation sickness has compared a person in fragility with an origami figurine that cannot be saved from fire. And even thousands of thousands of cranes did not save anyone, but they strengthened faith in humanity. And she can do a lot. Therefore, do origami, develop, believe in the best!

What role does origami play in your life? Are there many masters or beginners among our readers? How do you feel about this art, and what does it mean to you? It will be interesting to read your comments.

Origami is one of the well-known cultural phenomena in Japan, however, to get acquainted with other aspects, as well as with the Japanese language, we recommend that you go through ours.

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 a folk tradition that was 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 both as a form of fine art and as a literary phenomenon, so 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 the Golden Fish. 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 ​​\u200b\u200bJapan 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 eight barrels of sake, and when it fell asleep drunk, he cut it 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 narrating: 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 the quality of the paper was not easy - 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, which interlocks with the cosmos, 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 moments in history. 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]

Photo: Korotkevich Bohdan
[email protected]

Omsk Branch of the Russia-Japan Society

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Swan in blue. Video tutorials and diagram. Part 3. In the third part of the master class, I offer you two video tutorials and a detailed origami diagram of 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) […]

Olga Kuramshina

This is the oldest Japanese art of paper folding.

To make origami, you need to prepare office paper, glue, paper clips, scissors. You can choose paper in different colors as you like. You can make yarn for the rope.

First we make a square, cut off the excess


We bend from 2 sides to get triangles, do not forget to iron the folds well.


Then fold in half


Then fold the halves in half.


It turns out a square


Fold inwards to make squares.


Then the squares Bend into triangles on all sides and iron all the folds well


Bend the remaining parts back to glue them later.


Bend from all sides


We straighten the triangles and make flowers out of them from all sides, not forgetting to iron well on the folds


You need to make six such figures


After that, glue together. You can press the glued figures with paper clips. It turns out such beautiful balls that you can make with the children of the older, preparatory group and decorate the group for the holiday. You can stretch a rope made of yarn between the modules so that there is something to hang on.

Children enjoy paper crafting. With the children of my group, I always try to decorate the group with handmade things.

Related publications:

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Master class "Drummers" senior preschool age. Dear colleagues, I have already introduced you to the project “Musical Instruments for Our Own.

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This is an exciting opportunity to try yourself as a real watchmaker and decorator. And to breathe life into your new ones.