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Origami paper
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Origami paper is the paper used for origami, the art of Japanese paper folding. The only real requirement of the folding medium is that it must be able to hold a crease, but should ideally also be thinner than regular paper for convenience when multiple folds over the same small paper area are required (e.g. such as would be the case if creating an origami bird's "legs", "feet", and "beak").
Kami
[edit]Kami, or koiy paper, is the cheapest paper made specifically for origami, and the most widely available. It was developed for use in schools.[1] The word kami is simply Japanese for paper, but it has acquired this specific meaning.[1][2]
Kami is thin and easy to fold. It is usually printed only on one side, with a solid color or pattern. These patterns can be as simple as a gradation from red to blue, or as complex as a multi-colored kimono pattern of flowers and cranes with gold foil embellishments. Kami comes in several sizes, but standard sizes include 75 × 75 mm (about 3 × 3 inches), 6-inch squares and 10-inch squares.
Paper-backed foil
[edit]This medium is a slightly more expensive, flashier, paper that is good for retaining creases called paper-backed foil paper, Japanese foil, or simply foil. Foil paper is composed of a thin layer of foil adhered to an extremely thin sheet of paper. The most common colors are silver and gold, but any color is possible in foil paper including bright pink, blue and copper. In many multi-color packs, one sheet each of silver and gold paper is included. These are usually placed on the bottom end of the string if used in a thousand origami cranes.
Washi
[edit]Washi is traditionally a fine handmade thin paper coveted by artists and craftspeople. Washi is made with renewable long-fibered crops and is very strong even when thin. Some washi does not hold a sharp fold due to the extremely long and thick fibers of the paper. Occasionally you will find strands of the long fibers (often kozo) in washi. Washi is also accepting of ink, making it easy to print on as it holds very fine detail. Printed washi has a unique and occasionally transparent texture. Washi paper is not as commonly used as kami paper in origami.
Chiyogami / Yuzen
[edit]Chiyogami refers to Japanese hand-screened decorative kozo washi / paper consisting of repetitive patterns. “Chiyo” means 1,000 generations and "gami” means paper. Originally the design was applied to handmade kozo paper with wood blocks, but today most chiyogami is produced with silkscreen techniques.[3]
Paper was one of the major materials used in making toys and dolls. The brightly printed chino-gami of Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto and the crisp strength of newly laid kozo paper were fully utilized. Many urban housewives and girls with the spare time for a hobby have taken up the making of sophisticated paper dolls and figurines – both traditional and modern – and provide a steady and major market for the makers of highly decorative colored papers.[4]
Banknotes
[edit]
Banknotes may be used to fold models as well. Banknotes are common media for folding as the subject in the obverse of the banknote can make a striking appearance on the finished model.
Notes and references
[edit]- ^ a b "Traditional Papers".
- ^ "Paper Review #12: Kami". 29 September 2012.
- ^ "Yuzen and Chiyogami – what's the difference?". Archived from the original on 2019-05-27. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
- ^ Sukey Hughes. Washi. The World of Japanese Paper
Origami paper
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Definition and Characteristics
Origami paper is a specialized type of paper engineered for the art of origami, characterized by its square shape, thin profile, and enhanced durability to facilitate precise folding and maintain creases without tearing. Unlike general-purpose paper, it is designed to withstand repeated manipulations, enabling the creation of intricate two- and three-dimensional models. Typically cut into squares ranging from 6 to 15 inches on each side, this paper prioritizes foldability over writing or printing suitability.[2] Key characteristics include a uniform thickness of approximately 50-80 grams per square meter (gsm), which allows for crisp creases and layered constructions while remaining lightweight enough for complex designs. It exhibits high tensile strength—often around 6 kg along the grain for standard varieties—to resist breaking during folding, coupled with good crease memory that helps models retain their shape over time. Color options are diverse, with traditional sheets featuring a solid color on one side and white on the other to aid visibility during assembly, though double-sided and patterned variants exist for aesthetic enhancement. Resistance to tearing is another vital trait, ensuring the paper endures the stress of sharp valley and mountain folds without fraying.[3][2] In contrast to regular printer paper, which is thicker (around 80-100 gsm) and more prone to buckling or splitting under repeated folds, origami paper offers superior tensile strength and flexibility, making it ideal for artistic applications. Its lower opacity in certain translucent types, such as tissue-based sheets, permits light transmission that enhances the visual depth of models like lanterns or modular sculptures. This opacity variation supports both opaque and semi-transparent designs, broadening creative possibilities.[3][2] A fundamental prerequisite for effective folding is consideration of the paper's grain direction—the alignment of fibers from the manufacturing process—which influences fold sharpness and overall model durability. Folding with the grain yields cleaner, more precise creases and greater strength, while folding against it can result in weaker holds and potential distortion, especially in humid conditions where anisotropic swelling may occur. Selecting paper with the grain oriented appropriately ensures sharper edges and longer-lasting structures.[2][4]Historical Context
Paper was introduced to Japan from China via Korea in the 6th century CE, with traditional papermaking techniques evolving during the Heian period (794–1185 CE) to produce washi, a durable handmade paper from plant fibers such as mulberry bark. Early paper folding practices, known as orikata, were simple and tied to ceremonial and symbolic uses, such as noshi attachments on gifts and shide—zigzag paper streamers used in Shinto purification rituals to ward off evil spirits. These basic folds appeared in samurai traditions during the Muromachi (1336–1573) and Sengoku periods as ceremonial elements in weddings, gift exchanges, and formal oaths.[5][6] By the 17th century (Edo period), increased paper availability from advancements in papermaking shifted folding from elite ceremonial contexts to recreational pursuits among the general populace, with the earliest unambiguous records of folded paper models dating to 1680.[6] The Meiji era (1868–1912) accelerated this evolution through industrialization, introducing machine-made papers that supplemented traditional handmade washi, making high-quality stock more accessible and affordable for widespread use.[7] In the early 20th century, Japanese paper mills began mass-producing affordable kami—the standard single-sided colored paper essential for origami—for school and artistic use across Japan.[2] The post-World War II era saw origami paper gain international prominence, largely due to the innovations of Akira Yoshizawa, whose 1950s publications and wet-folding techniques elevated folding into a global art form, inspiring the export of kami and similar papers worldwide.[6] By the 1980s, origami associations, such as the British Origami Society and Japan Origami Association, promoted standardization, adopting square formats derived from ISO 216 dimensions (e.g., 15 cm squares from A4 sheets) to facilitate consistent designs and international collaboration.[8] This shift from artisanal washi to standardized machine-made variants marked origami paper's transition from a culturally insular material to a universally adopted medium.[9]Properties and Standards
Ideal Material Qualities
Ideal origami paper requires high tensile strength and fold endurance to endure the repetitive creasing and manipulation inherent in folding techniques, particularly for intricate models that involve numerous folds. These qualities enable the paper to withstand hundreds of double folds without tearing or weakening, as measured by standard folding endurance tests like the MIT tester, which quantify the logarithm of folds until breakage. For origami, suitable papers typically exhibit folding endurance values exceeding 200 double folds, similar to high-quality bond papers optimized for durability. Tensile strength is assessed through standardized tests such as ISO 1924-2, ensuring the paper resists pulling forces during shaping. Additionally, grammage, or basis weight, is a key metric, with ideal origami paper ranging from 50 to 80 gsm to provide sufficient strength without excessive bulk that hinders precise folding. Burst strength tests, per ISO 2758, further evaluate rupture resistance under pressure, where values above 150 kPa for lightweight papers indicate suitability for complex constructions.[10][11][12][13] The texture and finish of origami paper play a crucial role in crease retention and overall foldability, with smooth surfaces promoting sharp, enduring creases by allowing fibers to compress evenly without snagging. Textured finishes, such as those in traditional washi, offer grip for detailed work but may soften creases over time unless balanced with a semi-smooth coating. Acid-free composition is vital, as it eliminates lignins and acids that cause yellowing and embrittlement during storage, preserving the paper's integrity for archival models; pH levels above 7.0 ensure longevity without degradation. These properties are confirmed through accelerated aging tests like ISO 5630-1, demonstrating minimal discoloration after simulated decades of exposure.[1][2][14] Opacity and colorfastness contribute to aesthetic and functional balance in origami, where moderate opacity prevents excessive show-through in multi-layered designs while permitting subtle translucency for depth in complex assemblies like modular units. Standard origami papers achieve 85-95% opacity to maintain color vibrancy without transparency issues, as per ISO 2471 standards. Colorfastness ensures dyes resist fading from handling or light exposure, with high-quality papers using pigment-based inks that score above 4 on the blue wool scale for lightfastness. This stability supports repeated manipulation without color migration or dulling.[1][15] Environmental factors, particularly moisture resistance, are essential for maintaining dimensional stability during folding, as paper is hygroscopic and absorbs ambient humidity. Ideal papers resist warping above 60% relative humidity (RH) through controlled fiber content and minimal sizing, limiting expansion to less than 1% in length; excessive moisture can cause fibers to swell, distorting creases and complicating precision work. Testing via ISO 535 (Cobb method) quantifies water absorption, with low values (under 50 g/m²) indicating suitability for varied climates. In high-humidity environments, lightly buffered or coated variants enhance resistance without compromising foldability.[2][16][17]Common Sizes and Formats
Origami paper is predominantly produced and sold in square formats, with the traditional standard size being 15 cm (approximately 6 inches) on each side, suitable for a wide range of beginner to intermediate models.[18] This size balances ease of handling with sufficient surface area for detailed folding, and it is widely available from manufacturers like those supplying the OrigamiUSA community. For more complex designs requiring greater precision or scale, larger squares such as 20 cm to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches) are common, allowing for intricate structures without excessive bulk.[19] Adaptations from ISO A-series paper, such as folding or cutting A4 sheets (210 mm × 297 mm) into squares, provide an accessible option for hobbyists using standard printer paper, yielding approximately 14.7 cm squares after trimming the excess strip.[20] Origami paper is distributed in various formats to accommodate different user needs, including single sheets for individual projects and multi-sheet packs, often containing 100 sheets in assorted colors for versatility in model creation.[21] Beginner-friendly options include pre-creased or scored sheets, which feature preliminary folds to guide assembly, particularly useful for modular origami where units interlock to form larger sculptures. These pre-creased formats simplify the initial setup, reducing errors for novices while maintaining the paper's foldability. International variations reflect regional preferences and measurement systems, with the United States favoring 6 × 6 inch (15.24 cm) squares that align closely with imperial standards and are stocked by major craft suppliers.[11] In Japan and metric-dominant markets, smaller 7.5 cm squares are popular for miniature or modular works, enabling compact designs like kusudama ornaments.[21] Conversions between metric and imperial units are straightforward for global trade, but availability may vary, with European suppliers emphasizing centimeter-based sizing. Packaging norms emphasize practicality and organization, with many packs featuring color-coded assortments—typically 10 to 20 solid or patterned hues—to support multi-model projects requiring visual contrast. Bulk rolls or large sheets, often 50 cm wide or more, cater to advanced users or educators for custom cutting into desired sizes, promoting sustainability through minimal waste in instructional settings.[21]| Common Size | Dimensions (Metric/Imperial) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | 7.5 cm / 3 inches | Modular and miniature models[19] |
| Standard | 15 cm / 6 inches | General beginner to intermediate folding[18] |
| Intermediate | 20–25 cm / 8–10 inches | Detailed single-sheet designs[21] |
| Large | 30 cm / 12 inches | Complex or display models[19] |
