Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding, although in modern usage the term is used more inclusively to describe all folding practices, regardless of culture or origin.

Origami transforms a simple sheet of paper into intricate, sculptural art through folding alone, a craft that involves precision, geometry, and creative expression.

The craft is believed to have originated in China around the 1st century AD, shortly after paper was invented. By the 6th century, Japanese artisans adopted and refined the art for ceremonial purposes, embedding it in Shinto and Buddhist rituals.

Etymologically, "origami" derives from the Japanese oru (to fold) and kami (paper). While outside of Japan, the terms "origami" and "kamihoso" have merged, within Japan, distinctions remain based on paper type and purpose.

Early folds appeared on offerings and gift wrappers, marking important ceremonies and social rituals in medieval Japan. During the Edo period (1603-1868), folding became a pastime for samurai and aristocrats, leading to rudimentary recreational models like the "samurai helmet" hat.

In the 20th century, Akira Yoshizawa expanded the craft by inventing new wet-folding techniques and a universal diagramming system. His influence sparked a global origami renaissance, inspiring societies, exhibitions, and educational programs worldwide.

Origami employs a core set of folds and manipulations to build complex forms from a single square sheet of paper. These include the Valley Fold (creating an inward crease), Mountain Fold (forming an outward ridge), Reverse Fold (folding a flap inside or outside), Squash Fold (opening and flattening a flap to form a new shape), Sink Fold (pushing a point inward to reverse depth), and Petal Fold (lifting a flap and collapsing its sides symmetrically). Advanced techniques like wet-folding allow sculptural curves, while box-pleating subdivides paper into fine creases for highly detailed models.

The essence of origami is paper folding, but the choice of paper can greatly impact the final aesthetic, difficulty level, and durability. Washi, a traditional Japanese paper, is made from kozo fibers and is flexible and durable. Kami, a mass-produced colored paper, is thin, crisp, and easy to fold. Foil-backed refers to paper laminated with thin aluminum that holds sharp creases for complex folds. Tissue-foil, incorporating tissue paper and aluminum foil, is moldable and ideal for organic shapes. Mixed media might include paper with fabric or plastic layers for hybrid textures. Tools such as bone folders, tweezers, and rulers can be used to help achieve precise creases and complex assemblies.

Origami encompasses a wide spectrum of styles, each emphasizing different aesthetic and structural principles. These include modular origami (assembling multiple identical units into polyhedra and sculptures), tessellation origami (repeating geometric patterns that fold flat or expand into reliefs), action origami (models designed to move or animate), wet-folding (using damp paper for smooth, rounded forms), pureland origami (restricting folds to valley and mountain only, emphasizing simplicity), strip folding (a combination of paper folding and paper weaving), and computational origami (algorithmic design, using software to plan crease patterns).

Often included as a style of origami, kirigami introduces cutting into paper craft, expanding design freedom, whereas origami strictly forbids cuts. Kirigami often features interlocking slits that create lattices and 3D pop-up effects, while origami uses folding only.

Other paper crafts that share origami's reliance on folding principles or geometric artistry include Zhezhi, a traditional Chinese folding craft with unique cultural motifs; Papel Picado, a Mexican craft that uses paper cutting and layering to produce festive banners; a map folding technique that uses complex algorithms for folding large sheets into compact maps; and string origami, a hybrid art combining paper folds and thread for tensile forms.

Origami combines art and science through geometry, algebra, and algorithms. The Huzita-Hatori axioms formalize the fundamental folding operations, demonstrating equivalence to compass-and-straightedge constructions. Complex crease patterns often rely on circle-packing theory and optimization algorithms, enabling the creation of lifelike insects, tassellations, and deployable structures used in engineering and space telescopes.

Thus, origami's influence extends beyond paper. Researchers have applied its principles to robotics, medicine, and architecture. Digital origami software allows designers to simulate folding sequences and test structural behaviors virtually.

Below are several resources offering additional information and resources on the craft.

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