Chapter 1. history of origami and educational and methodical recommendations for the implementation of products in the technique "Origami".
1.1.Origami origami.
Back in ancient times, in China, the paper was used in a variety of ways, including in religious rites. For example, it was originally accepted at the funeral, along with the deceased to burn and all his household belongings - to provide him with a further path in heaven. However, later from thriftiness real things were moderately replaced by special strips of paper on which only the names of things were written (similar strips of paper with printed wishes of prosperity and happiness in our days can be bought in petty shops in China).
From a paper various useful things in a life, like the well-known pendant lanterns were made also. In their manufacture, and used the method of folding. However, folding figures of square sheets of paper in China did not get the same name as in Japan. This is probably explained by the fact that the Japanese used paper not only for writing, making screens, umbrellas, windows and even clothes, but also to demonstrate some of the worldview ideas of the philosophy of Zeya - Buddhism.
Buddhists were the first who paid attention to the trifle and destroyed the division of the world into high and low (in contrast to the Western focus on the general laws, addiction to the large, leading to the division of the arts into high and low, important and not so much). They paid their attention to everything that was not good, to the moment, to the tiniest little bit, with a wonderful goal - to catch in it, in the trifles, the breath of eternity, because everything in the world is connected to everything. They were looking for the simplest manifestation of a single and indivisible truth - gently - for any smallness contains it, and one should be able to find it, the Truth, there.
Buddhism in general sought the truth in many ways, and every nation that accepted it found its own way to it. Speaking about the way in the Buddhist understanding, it is necessary to emphasize that different ways to the Truth in it did not compete with each other, but rather complemented each other, because all of them led in the same direction - to the single and indivisible Truth.
A few years ago, the average European barely heard of paper, and the Japanese had already been surrounded by it. In the 1950s, the outstanding German inventor Johann Gutenberg printed the Bible for the first time on handmade Western European paper in Mainz. It was one of the first papers to be printed.
The strength of "your" paper in pyrotechnics was highly appreciated. It was used to make cases and shells of missiles for fireworks. Japanese paper was used for waterproof curtains in crews, ropes and thin cables, was used in medicine (patch). Paper curled into thin ropes was used to weave and tie various cases, baskets and boxes for glasses and musical instruments.
The first Japanese paper was of very high quality. The paper made in winter was more beautiful and pleasant to the touch. These qualities were acquired due to the cold that protected the fibers from spoilage.
In general, the beauty hidden in things, the Japanese discovered in the IX - XII centuries, in the era of Heiyah (794 - 1185), and even denoted a special concept of "mono - mavara. This discovery comes from the Shinto, the belief that each thing, each phenomenon, even words, contains a kami - a deity. Syntoism, in general, is very similar to our paganism. For Shintoists kami lives, settles especially willingly in everything that is unusual. For example, in paper. And especially in the ghohei, which hangs in front of the Shinto sanctuaries and indicates the presence of a deity in the temple, twisted in a wise zigzag. There are 20 options for folding ghay, and those that are stacked in a particularly unusual way attract kami. Since the 9th century, there has been a custom in Japan of fortifying goyim on sumo wrestlers' belts before the start of the fight.
Until now, in Japan, kata-siro - eight white paper dolls, which are placed to prevent misfortune in all eight directions of space; gofu - paper amulets; and Nagasi-bina - a symbol of family harmony: he and she in a paper kimono on a round bed. For exorcism of evil spirits and cleansing of temples the Shintoists still use the haram - geese - broom, folded of white paper strips. In general, the role of paper in the synth is very great, and products from it is given esoteric meaning.
In the periods of Kamakura (1185-1333) and Muromati (1333-1573) origami goes beyond the temples and reaches the imperial court. The aristocracy and the court had to possess certain skills in the art of folding. Notes folded in the form of a butterfly, crane, flower, or abstract geometric figure were a symbol of friendship or good wishes for a loved one. They sometimes managed to express more attention and love than words could. The ability to put together became one of the signs of good education and refined manners. Various noble families used origami figures as a coat of arms and seal. Court lady Murasaki Shikibu, who lived in the XI century, mentions in her book "Gandzi Mono Gatari" ( about the brilliant Prince Ganji") about the variety of origami - the art of folding letters, when the letter itself has become an intricate envelope with decoration.
During the periods of Azzuchi-Momoyan (1573-1603) and Edo (1603-1867) origami became a popular pastime from ceremonial art. Then the paper ceased to be a luxury item and origami began to spread among the ordinary people. It was then, three hundred - four hundred years ago, a number of new figures are invented, which later become classic. Among them is a Japanese crane (tzuru) - a traditional Japanese symbol of happiness and longevity.
Origami art in Japan has become a tradition that is passed down from generation to generation, mainly through the female line. Historians claim that the manner of folding and set of figures could be determined by the province of Japan, in which the girl grew up and studied.