How did you get into origami?

Did you get into origami as a child or as an adult?

As a child, I learned the traditional boat and classic crane, but it wasn’t until I was well into adulthood that I really got into origami.

It was the Christmas holiday season in New York City. I was walking with my husband down a busy Fifth Avenue in midtown when I stopped suddenly, spellbound by the image of a huge Christmas tree filled with decorations of folded paper figures revolving in the windows of the Japan Airlines office.

Soon after, I bought an origami book with the intention of giving it as a Christmas present to either my (mathematician) sister, or to my (engineer) brother who, as a child, loved making and playing with origami frogs.

My background is in art and illustration, and when I opened that origami book, Origami Omnibus by Kunihiko Kasahara, I was hooked. My passion for folding paper ignited right there and then. It was 1988 and I was 28 years old!

Needless to say, that Christmas neither my brother or sister received a copy of the book as a gift from me ;-)

For all these many years, origami has contributed a great deal to my life. It has been a source of joy, play, intellectual challenge, and, most gratifyingly, social interaction.

I am grateful for your presence in my life and here on Origami Spirit!

I’m telling you my own story regarding origami because I’d love to know how you got into origami, and I’m trying to identify what else we, origami lovers, might have in common.

Would you mind responding to this post (privately or as a comment) and sharing with me a little bit about the story of your own involvement with origami and how it came about?

Here are some questions you might think of as prompts. Answering some or all would be appreciated.

  • What first prompted you to get into origami? When you did, were you thinking of sharing it with others or just doing it for yourself?
  • Did you get into origami as a child or as an adult?
  • What is your background (art, math, science, teaching, other)?
  • How has origami contributed to your life?

By all means, share your response with me. I’d love to hear from you!

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9 thoughts on “How did you get into origami?”

  1. Buenas tardes agradezco mucho haber recibido su mensaje. Lamentablemente no hablo ingles, para poder contestar las preguntas que pueda hacerme, debo copiar todo el texto, buscar la forma de traducirlo al español, después de saber el contenido, entonces en ese momento podre contestar correctamente a sus preguntas.
    Gracias por su atención, quedo a sus ordenes.

    Reply
    • Gracias por escribir, Evangelina.
      Si visualizas esta página desde tu computador, en el panel de la derecha encuentras una opción para traducir al castellano. La siguiente imagen te muestra cómo luce ese botón de traducción.
      ————–
      Cómo traducir al español

      Reply
  2. Olá, Leila,
    I am a kindergarten teacher. The origamis are for me (i like origamis, very much) and for my childrens too.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  3. I loved everything that can be play with, I love origami when I was young and find paper can do a lot of different thing to play with. Usually, when I went to library, origami session was a must to visit, there I can find some books and brought home to learn how to fold…. There was not computers and Television with Youtube videos…. Reading the instructions and the pictures needed a lot of trails, mistakes and redoing to make it happen. It is challenges that bring the fun. Even now I am a senior, I still love everything that can bring you happiness, simple joy such as crochet, knitting and card making. God has given us talents to keep ourselves happy by simple things.

    Reply
    • Dear Edna,
      Thank you for sharing about how your interest in origami started and how you learned. Yes, indeed, origami can set up us with a challenge that is fun to figure out. Let’s keep on being happy with lovely simple things!

      Reply
  4. As a child, it was my mum who taught me how to fold a boat with and without a rudder. I would have loved to be able to fold more, so I sought out books. Unfortunately, I was unable to understand the instructions. It wasn’t until 2008 when I was shown how to fold a crane card. I picked up from there and decided to use the medium for ATC. Origami is therapeutic for me. I made cards for friends and family and often received kami and books as gifts. I joined Origami Singapore to learn more.

    Reply
    • Dear Rita,
      Thank you for sharing your lovely memories. I can imagine how meaningful it is to have a memory of your mom teaching you how to fold the paper boats. I’m happy origami can be therapeutic for you!

      Reply

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