Akira Yoshizawa is the grandfather of the modern origami movement. He is an Origami Sensei (Master) and is considered a National Treasure of Japan for his contributions to the Japanese culture. Mr. Yoshizawa worked tirelessly to promote origami as a serious artform throughout the world. He believed in folding and teaching origami using creative free expression instead of teaching the same traditional models (crane, carp, Yakko, helmet etc) that had been passed down through the centuries.
Mr. Yoshizawa was an extremely prolific creator and designed tens of thousands of models in his life. Only a few hundred of his models have been diagrammed. You can fold a sample of Mr. Yoshizawa's work at his International Origami Society website.
|
 |
Koi Banner
Koinobori
Created by Akira Yoshizawa
|
The carp banner symbolizes courage, determination, and manliness. It is fold for Komodo no Hi (Children's Festival) and is a traditional symbol of Tango no Sekku (Boy's Day) celebrated on May 5th. Japanese families fly carp banners from a pole. Each banner in descending size represents a male in the family with the largest Koinobori representing the father, the next largest the elder son etc.
|
 |
Butterflies
Chouchou
Created by Akira Yoshizawa
Museum Origami: Animals
|
This is my absolute favorite origami butterfly. If suspended from a string they flutter like real butterflies in a breeze. Ceremonial origami butterflies, the Ocho and Mecho, are used as a part of the Japanese wedding ceremony.
|
 |
Dragon
Tatsu
Created by Akira Yoshizawa
Origami Museum: Animals
|
This is more of an Japanse style dragon without wings. Dragons are very important mythological creatures as they are gods of water and rain. In Japan they are considered proctectors of temples.
|
 |
Iguanadon
Created by Akira Yoshizawa
Origami Museum: Animals
|
I don't particularily like dinosaurs but this one is so KAWAII, which means cute in Japanese!
|
 |
Panda
Created by Akira Yoshizawa
Origami Museum: Animals
|
This is made from two sheets of origami paper. I really like models that use both sides of the paper in the finished origami model.
|
 |
Prince
Hina
Created by Akira Yoshizawa
Origami Hakubutsushi
|
A more traditional origami doll model folded out of washi paper. This model may represent the emperor or a male member of his court.
|
 |
Variation of Prince
Hina
Created by Akira Yoshizawa
Origami Hakubutsushi
|
These are varitions on the origami model above.
|
|
