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Origami

11 December, 00:00

It seems there is nothing special about a sheet of paper. But it appears that one can make true masterpieces out of it. This was proved by Professor Toshikazu Kawasaki, who had been demonstrating his art at Ukrayinsky Dim [Ukrainian House] in Kyiv. Interestingly, Kawasaki is a professor of mathematics, docent at the National Technology College in Sasebo, Japan. Simultaneously he was awarded a degree for researching the mathematical principles of the deformation of folded rice paper and made an important contribution to popularizing origami. Professor delivers monthly lectures on origami in Japan. He is also author of over twenty mathematical works on origami, a number of books, and many types of origami: roses (it is owing to them that Mr. Kawasaki is known far beyond the bounds of Japan), spiral shell, crystallographic origami, coffee beans, cherry blossom, a Martian, fireworks, etc. This year the professor’s book The Magic World of Origami was published.

The word origami originates from the Japanese words ori, to compose, and gami, paper. The origami art’s golden age was in the eighteenth century, while its history begins in early China, since the time when paper was invented. The folding method was used to make various things. In Japan the art of making articles out of paper has gained wide popularity. Perhaps the Zen Buddhism practiced by many Japanese has also played its role. This philosophy considered beauty to be a sign of eternity. According to Japanese belief, every phenomenon, thing, or even word incarnates a deity, and in the Japanese language the word paper (gami) sounds similar to deity (kami). The Japanese perceived a certain mystical connection between religious rituals and the paper craft.

Later origami became popular at the Emperor’s court. To possess certain skills in the paper composing art became a sign of refined manners and good breeding. Due to origami, ordinary sheets of paper started to turn into fanciful patterned envelopes. Then origami came to the homes of ordinary people. It was then that a paper figure of the Japanese crane, tsuru, a symbol of happiness and longevity, became one of the most popular ones with the Japanese. Now this art is passed from one generation to another in Japan. In Europe it became available in the nineteenth century.

Origami centers exist in many European countries, in Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA. In Ukraine the first Center to Study Origami appeared in Poltava in 1995. Now there are a great number of origami circles in Poltava oblast. Origami can be also studied by correspondence. In Kyiv the first meeting of the Origami Club was held in August 2001.

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