Origami is the Japanese word for Paper Folding ORIGAMI ORI GAMI To FoldPaper (kami – Japanese for paper) The art of paper making dates back to China in the year 102AD when paper became available to the masses. The art of paper making and origami first came to Japan in about the 6 th century. Paper folding was originally only done by the rich as little paper was available, but as paper became less expensive origami became a popular art for everyone! 折 り 紙

At one time, origami was taught in schools, but today, children are generally taught the art at home. During the summer, Tanabata (the star festival) – live bamboo branches are decorated with origami star and paper decorations (in a similar fashion to a Christmas tree) On Children’s day – children make colourful carp. This symbolises strength as carp is a fish that swims upstream against the current. Let’s have a go at making a sunfish first!

Perhaps the most well known origami model is the crane The crane has become the international symbol of peace and in Japan, every child eventually learns to make the crane.

SADAKO and 1,000 paper Cranes Sadako was a young girl exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb that the US dropped in Hiroshima Several years later, as a result of the radiation she developed leukemia – her friend visited her in hospital with an origami crane and tells her that the crane is a symbol of health and if she can make 1,000 cranes, she will be well again She took on the quest to make over 1000 cranes and she used x-ray foil wrappers, magazines and any other paper she could find to fold her cranes. As she learnt that her illness came as a result of war, Sadako spread her message of peace as she folded her cranes. Sadako never gave up hope, and continued to fold cranes until she died in Sadako’s story inspired children all around Japan and in her honour, a monument to spread her message of peace was built in “Peace Park” in Hiroshima. At the base of the statue is written… “ This is our cry, this is our prayer, Peace in the World”

Lets start simple and have a go at making a bird….. Then you can get creative…..