The First Book of Origami by Kodansha International Penguin

Turn a single sheet of colored paper into an animal, a hat, a boat, or even a camera! The three-dimensional drawings and simple instructions are easy for beginners to follow. The designs range from traditional Japanese origami to novel ones that can be manipulated and moved, giving everyone — from kids to grandparents — hours of pleasure and fun.

INTRODUCTION

The craft of paper folding in Japan has been passed down from mother to child for generations, right up until the present day. Origami thus embodies skills that have been developed through play and enjoyment over the ages. Traditional designs, such as the popular crane — with their finely balanced artistry and beauty — may be said to represent the living shapes of Japan.

Today this art has spread all over the world, attracting enthusiasts in dozens of countries, and the word “origami” itself has become widely recognized and internationally accepted. Origami societies have proliferated — in fact, the British Origami Society predates the Nippon Origami Society by several years — and this has further enriched the art and led to the creation of numerous innovative designs.

This book presents a careful selection of classic and novel designs that can be easily mastered by the beginner Notable features are:

•   Clear, easy-to-understand, three-dimensional illustrations created with computer graphics.
•   Indications of the paper size for each design, giving the shapes and sorts of paper that can be used.
•   Suggestions on how to play with such origami toys as the Camera, Party Popper and the Paku-Paku Game.