Origami

Origami is the Traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Paper can be given several shape using paper of several colors. Origami means [ori meaning "folding" and kami meaning "paper"; kami changes to gami later] folding paper. Origami was was popularized outside Japan in the mid-1900s which was introduced there in the 17th century AD.
The goal of this art is to transform a flat sheet of material into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques, and as such the use of cuts or glue are not considered to be origami.
The best known origami model is probably the Japanese paper crane.
In general, these designs begin with a square sheet of paper whose sides may be different colors or prints. Traditional Japanese origami, which has been practiced since the Edo era (1603–1867), has often been less strict about these conventions, sometimes cutting the paper or using nonsquare shapes to start with.

History

There is much speculation as to the origin of origami. While Japan seems to have had the most extensive tradition, there is evidence of an independent tradition of paper folding in China, as well as in Germany and Spain among other places. However because of the problems associated with preserving origami, there is very little direct evidence of its age or origins, aside from references in published material.

Techniques

Many origami books begin with a description of basic origami techniques which are used to construct the models. These include simple diagrams of basic folds like valley and mountain folds, pleats, reverse folds, squash folds, and sinks. There are also standard named bases which are used in a wide variety of models, for instance the bird base is an intermediate stage in the construction of the flapping bird.
Photo Frame

A Dog's box

A Red and White Crane

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