History of Origami: 1600s ~ Early 1700s

It can be supposed that ceremonial Origami had some impact on the born of Origami for recreational purposes.
Unfortunately, there remain no documents that recorded the exact period when people started to make recreational Origami.
Even so, it doesn't mean that there are no clues because we now see some accessories or ornaments with designs featuring some models of Origami.
Now, let's see the origami-featuring design which indicates what origami was like at that time.

In 2018, an attachment of katana (刀, a Japanese sword) was found.
That is a handle of katana with reliefs of orizuru (折り鶴, paper crane).
The person who made this handle is thought to be Goto Eijo (後藤栄乗), a craftsman from the late 1500s to the early 1600s.
Based on the age he lived, the handle is the oldest antique which has an image of orizuru.

On this ground, orizuru had been familiar to people by the early 1600s at the latest. Guessing from this point, it can be thought that recreational origami had also been born at this age at the latest.

Down to the 18th century, a book was published in 1734.
That is "Ranma zushiki (欄間図式)," a design catalog for transom windows.
It has many pictures of various things, and among them is a picture of Origami.

As you can see in [2-1], there are various Origami models in this picture.
Most of them are popular among Japanese people even today. Such traditional models are called 'Densho Origami (伝承折り紙, traditional origami).'
"Ranma zushiki" indicates that Densho Origami had already been known to people by the 18th century.
However, this picture doesn't have the title of 'Origami,' but 'Orikata (折形).'
Orikata (or Orisue) was often adopted into designs for various things like ornaments, furniture, and kimono after the middle Edo period.

Origami in the Past

• Prologue
• 1600s ~ Early 1700s
• Late 1700s ~ Early 1800s
• Detour to Germany
• Late 1800s ~ Early 1900s

Origami in the Present

• Origami as Art
• Origami as Science

Enjoy Origami

• Origami in Daily Life
• Let's Make Origami!
• Books on Origami

日本版を読みたい人は、こちらをクリックしてください。