Sunday Funnies

Djinn

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By Ignacio Briz.  More here and here.

Origami in Name Only

Joseph Wu is in Japan and posted that he bought some Starbucks origami coffee.

I believe this is a review by Heather Shida:

Sunday Funnies

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Great Big Story

Toot from Dr. Lang, via Origami-L:

I don’t know if it’s really a great BIG story, but CNN did a nice little story on my folding:


http://www.greatbigstory.com/stories/folded-universe-the-astonishing-beauty-of-origami/


A few errata:


(1) There’s a few errors in their chronology on that page. I’ve sent them corrections. Until then, FAKE NEWS! Sad!


(2) At one point, I seem to be saying I invented an airbag. Which is wrong. (I contributed to an airbag algorithm.) I expect the Senate to investigate.


(3) I borrowed a line from Marty Demaine in BTF at one point. Marty, your royalty check is in the mail.


Other than all that, I hope you like it.

CNN:

The paper tsuru found to be at least a century older

The Asahi Shimbun, via Robert Lang on the Origami-L:

An illustration on a “kozuka” sword accessory has been confirmed as the earliest drawing of origami cranes. (Provided by Yuhiko Nakanishi)

Three origami cranes shown on a samurai sword accessory created around the beginning of the 17th century revealed the classic “orizuru” folding-paper design was invented a century earlier than previously believed.

The accessory, known as “kozuka,” was attached to blade sheaths or used as the hilt for short swords.

Yuhiko Nakanishi, a director of nonprofit group Nihon Token Hozon Kai (Japan sword preservation association), who lives in Tokyo’s Ota Ward, obtained the kozuka from a collector several years ago.

Measuring 1.4 centimeters by 9.7 cm, the kozuka features drawings of three orizuru and a pine tree.

Nakanishi examined the kozuka and found that it was crafted by Goto Eijo (1577-1617), the sixth head of the Goto family that catered to the Ashikaga Shogunate.

Eijo is famed for working for warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598). The carving on the accessory was characteristic of Eijo’s work.

A gold processing method that was no longer used in the Edo Period (1603-1867) was confirmed to have produced the item.

Based on those facts, the kozuka is estimated to have been made between the late Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568-1600) and the earliest part of the Edo Period.

An orizuru illustration in a design book for dyed goods published around 1700 was previously believed to be the oldest drawing of a paper crane.

Masao Okamura, who studies the history of origami, said the latest finding could help reveal the history of orizuru.

“The posterior half of the depicted orizuru seen from their side was drawn in a wrong way,” said Okamura, who lives in Kunitachi in western Tokyo. “That indicates the illustration was drawn before the method of folding paper (into orizuru) spread widely among people.”

Origami was established during the Muromachi Period (1338-1573) as a method for samurai to show good manners by wrapping their gifts with folded paper.

Traditional “washi” paper of the time was basically rectangular. People could not create origami works without accurately learning how to fold based on the horizontal to vertical ratio of the paper determined by each school of samurai manners.

After the start of the Edo Period, origami became popular in urban areas, particularly among women.

Orizuru was high on the list of preferred origami apparently because it can be created easily with square washi without learning how to fold in detail.

“(The latest finding) indicates orizuru was invented by men in the samurai community as part of their manners,” Okamura said.

Yami's secret ancient origami folding technique finally revealed!

Yami actually first started doing his "karate chop" knee action about 10 years ago.  I've since "turned up the volume" by expanding upon the comedic effect and setup/build up.

Warming up the crowd and testing their abilities to listen, watch, and follow directions

This is Yami's banger.

Before any vigorous, physical activity, it's important to warm-up and active stretch.

This will tax you, physically; teach you spiritually; test your mental acumen; train your listening skills; and take your powers of observation to the next level!

Origami. It's not just for kids, anymore.

Descanso Japanese Gardens Origami Introduction

This is part of my warm-up introduction.

There weren't too many people sitting at the table beforehand, like on other days; but this gives me a chance to build up interest before we start teaching.

I like to talk about modern origami, show off complex and fun action models; segue into moneyfolds; then from there...magic!

Sunday Funnies

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4-bladed dragon-winged propeller

Origami at Descanso Gardens

This is the event that Yami Yamauchi used to do; and has passed it on to me (I believe my third year doing this).

This year, they decided to host their Cherry Blossom Festival over two weekends.  These clips are from last weekend:

Sunday, it started out great (I wish someone had filmed it!); and then we hit rain:

We've had an unusual amount of rain in Southern California, this year.

Amazingly, people wanted to keep folding.  The umbrellas didn't exactly help because the downpour just soaked the tableclothes as they ran off the umbrellas.

Pam Miike and I are there again this weekend.  Unfortunately, tickets are sold out (as they were last weekend).  The Gardens wanted to try and control the crowds this year.

There is always next year!

The World's Largest Origami Cake at the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove

I had the honor and privilege of helping Linda Mihara construct her origami cake, along with the help of Marti Reis, Able, Kristin, and Sven.

This morning was the grand unveiling:

More photos here.

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NOA issue #499!