Origami: Inspired by Japanese Prints from the Metropolitan Museum Ofart

Full of classy images, fine printing, and well illustrated. Each Origami project page starts with a lovely reproduction of a Japanese woodcut print. Illustrations and steps are clear and logical. Includes a nice little supply of folding papers! This book has given me hours of pleasure learning Origami.

This is a beautiful book. Although it is certainly designed with the beginner in mind, it has much for the collector, certainly a collector familiar with the Met's collections of oriental art--someting worth the trip to NYC just to see. For the beginner, there is the obligatory introduction to origami. This includes a survey of the history of the artform, a description of the standard method of illustrating folds, and the basic folds themselves. A brief overview of all the models in pictorial form is part of the table of contents, and it is easy to see that the beginning folder is well supplied with easy objects to try. The first four of the 34 designs are dedicated to folded projects that even a preschool child might be able to perform, even memorize. The first 11 would be easily folded by K to 3rd graders. Those models 12 to 34 might are a bit more challenging. They certainly require a bit more grasp of three dimensional forms. They would be a supurb method for introducing solid geometry to individuals who have difficulty thinking in terms of x-y-z directional planes. Just familiarity with manipulating the designs might help develop that type of spacial thinking that can be difficult for some individuals to grasp when it's introduced in the cold, dry principles of textbook solid geometry. The most difficult design is probably the last in the book, the umbrella. Although an experienced folder should have no difficulty, it is rather involved, and may pose a challenge for the novice. It is, however, quite clever and well worth a try. Done successfully once, it should be easy to repeat. I think a perseverant 6th grader, especially one familiar with the art, would be more than capable of mastering it. Most of the designs are old standbys, like the cup, fan, kimonos, lantern, crane, and frog. I've seen all of the more unusual ones, singly or in pairs, in other books. This is a nice collection of some of the more unique models. There is a lovely butterfly pattern, and probably one of most realistic goldfish I've seen so far. (Frequently what's labeled "goldfish" looks more like some other fish entirely.) The real treat of the book, for me at least, was the lovely watercolors and woodblock prints by some of the Japanese masters. Kitagawa Utumaro's (1753-1805)wood print of two noble ladies is lovely, and his Lion Dance captures the joyfulness of a new year's celebration. Of course the wonderful artwork of Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), with its color and its activity, captures the essence of life during his era with a brevity of line that is almost modern. The descriptions of these pictures and the addition of origami that helps capture Japanese culture for the folder is also enlightening. I think anyone who enjoys oriental art, not to mention origami, will enjoy the book.

This book is beautiful simply as a book. It is well constructed and stays open with no trouble. I would consider leaving out on my coffee table. It is well written and thought out. It puts origami in general within Japanese cultural context as well as each individual creation. I have about thirty origami books and this is one of the best.

This origami book is particularly wonderful in its originality. It not only has diagrams for 34 designs, but also comes with 48 sheets of origami paper that can be stored in the cover. The book presents the origami designs in an interesting way: They are featured alongside beautiful Japanese art prints from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with detailed descriptions of the origami folds and the paintings. The book also contains a brief introduction and history of origami, and gives an interesting glimpse into Japanese culture and art. It is a great book for beginners; it begins with the most simple folds and progresses to more and more advanced folds along the way. This added with the information about origami and included paper make it a great start for those interested in the art. Those that already practice origami may also be interested; the book includes several unique and interesting folds. For example, the book includes an umbrella that is more of an `origami project' that involves two pieces of paper, paper strips, glue, and a chopstick/toothpick. This umbrella actually opens and closes, and is also the `drink umbrella' often placed in poolside drinks. This is rather interesting to know how to make. My only complaint concerns a few designs that are, to put it plainly, pretty ugly. These ugly designs include a coat, kimono, figure, and the only other `origami project' (involves six pieces of paper and glue) entitled `Lion Dance.' However, these four designs could interest others, and there are thirty other designs that I really like. Another small complaint: A `Mount Fuji' design that involves five folds is not ugly, but really too simple for anyone other than small children to want to make. The only other concern may be for origami purists: Other than the two `origami projects' previously mentioned, three of the other designs involve the use of scissors, and five involve the use of glue. I, however, am not a purist, and the use of glue and scissors is very minimal, so this is not a complaint of mine. Beyond the few complaints, the book is very nice and very well put together. I would definitely recommend it for beginners or those interested in unique origami books. For those interested, the book includes the following origami folds: a cup, Mount Fuji, fan, bamboo letterfold, dove, lantern, shell, turtle, coat, kimono, fish, shrimp, `Lion Dance,' morning glory, butterfly, figure, basket, wooden stand (looks like a Chinese food takeout box), chopstick wrapper, goldfish, Japanese Bobtail Cat, owl, boat (interesting looking `treasure boat'), flapping bird, crane (of course), phoenix, chrysanthemum, persimmon, inflatable frog, iris, snail, dragonfly, bellflower, and (drink) umbrella.