rel="nofollow" href="#fb3_img_img_0b29ed5a-e6f4-5efe-9795-413b513fea36.jpg" alt=""/> will help you understand the lessons well beyond what a collection of diagrams alone can do. We suggest that you watch a video lesson for the first time without folding, and then watch it again, this time with paper in hand, advancing the video lesson step-by-step at your own pace. Study and practice your origami artistry as if you were studying music. These lessons will help you diagnose the areas where you need more work. Assign yourself a new lesson each week. We hope that you will soon memorize, and then enjoy practicing the most applicable lessons. We wish you a most rewarding journey along your path to becoming a “better performer” — a more artful folder!
“Munich Orchids and Alexander Aztec Swallowtails” — Handmade Origamido papers by Alexander, original origami by LaFosse.
An Inspirational “LaFossophy” of Origami
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE STUDIO
BY ORIGAMIDO STUDIO COFOUNDER RICHARD L. ALEXANDER
One can’t escape developing a philosophy around any subject studied passionately for a long time. I have begun to use, tongue-in-cheek, the term “LaFossophy,” because I was at a loss for a word to adequately summarize Michael’s wisdom that permeates the Origamido Studio. While the majority of our students know us from our publications, for decades we have also been teaching all levels of origami in person. Often those sessions prompt discussions about our experiences that have influenced our thinking about artful folding. If you have had the pleasure of attending one of Michael’s sessions, perhaps at an origami convention, you’ll know what I mean: Michael injects his “LaFossophy” between each instruction as he waits for folders to catch up!
The following are Michael’s most useful approaches and productive methods. I have heard him expounding on these topics since I met him in 1988, and I have seen the proof often enough to thoroughly believe in Michael’s ideas. They will inspire you.
Preparing Your Heart
Mental preparation for any activity is often the key to a successful and satisfying performance. The right mental attitude allows you to focus on the task at hand. Master Yoshizawa folded with a peaceful spirit, usually composing his thoughts while centering his physical body in a comfortable position for a moment of meditation or prayer. The physical act of closing your eyes, and bringing the palms of your hands together in a way that resembles the posture of prayer is an act of intentional focus. Proper breathing is also important to any performer, and long, deep, conscious breathing pumps oxygen into the brain.
Dancing with the Paper
The process of folding and then turning the paper to reposition it for comfort before the next fold is akin to a dance, and even more so when the paper is large and the maneuvers are performed in the air, rather than against a table surface. The fluidity of motion, and the changing relationships between the paper, the person and the planet is enjoyable for the folder, and entertaining for spectators.
Poems for the Fingers
The simpler, elegant designs in this book can be easily memorized and then performed for pure joy, similar to that from reciting the work of a favorite poet. It is fun to practice the motions, savoring the rhythm while performing such an “origami poem.” When Michael “recites” such a piece in front of an audience, they fully understand the joy of the entire creative process.
Giving and Receiving
One need not spend a lot of money on meaningful gifts. Repaying the kindness of a thoughtful gift can be as easy as folding your favorite model. Whenever you receive a gift wrapped with beautiful paper, carefully save the paper. How delighted your friend will be when you cut a square, fold, and present your origami gift of thanks. What better gift can there be than one folded by your own hands from that same, special paper that your friend selected and will be sure to recognize?
Send a personalized “thank you” by folding a model for the gift-giver from the paper used to wrap the original gift.
Finding Joy in Transformation
Origami is a metamorphic art: A sheet of paper is transformed by folding only; nothing is added or removed. This aspect of change is captivating when one contemplates the possibilities and the magnitude of the change, as well as the chosen process. Some models are “action models,” which convert from one form to another even after the folding is finished. Shape transformation is captivating, and it is useful when you want to introduce yourself to strangers in a memorable way.
LaFosse’s inspired “Goldfish.” “It just appeared in my hands.” The paper was a gift from Akira Yoshizawa.
Awakening the Spirit
The final step is to open the eyes! Those of us who fold origami animals know how magical it can be to create an individual with a presence of its own. This makes origami so empowering to young children. They’re hooked as soon as you show them how to fold a square into a cute little fox in just five steps! Any origami creature can become their leading character in a new story or tall tale. The models may be pasted in rows to grace the pages of a customized scrapbook or securely mounted as a mobile. The artistic expression and emotions that you fold into your origami creations are unlimited. They may evoke an endearing and cuddly friend or even the most wicked of demons. Master Yoshizawa is said to have folded a mask of a Japanese No Theater character, Hannya, who was so diabolical in appearance that Yoshizawa “burst into uncontrollable tears — and was immediately hospitalized by extreme nervous and mental exhaustion,” according to biographer, Leland Stowe (“The Paper Magic Of Origami,” Hawai‘i Beacon magazine, July, 1970). Perhaps some spirits should remain asleep!
Being Open to Inspiration
“I don’t feel that I create these. I feel that God guides me. I’m even surprised at what comes out.” — Akira Yoshizawa, according to biographer, Leland Stowe, 1970.
Unexplained, inspired art can simply happen. We recall the day Michael was fumbling with an orange square of textured, Leathack paper that Yoshizawa had given to him. Michael was supposed to be working on another project that day, and when I came home from work, he met me standing at the top of the staircase, beaming with joy, with a stunning origami goldfish cradled in the palms of this hands. “I have no idea how to repeat it. I don’t even remember doing it. It just appeared in my hands!” he said. It wasn’t until several years later that he struggled to rediscover the folding process so he could diagram it for Advanced Origami (Tuttle Publishing).
Making Legendary Friends
Many designs have developed personas that become established into pop lore. The traditional Japanese origami crane is the most famous of these celebrated models. The age-old legend of the crane living 1,000 years morphed into a poignant tale of Sadako, a kindergartner battling radiation sickness after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The Spanish Pajarita design is yet another example. The tales expand and evolve with repeated telling. These classic designs now enjoy worldwide recognition beyond just origami enthusiasts. The Internet allows new designs to go viral as each story is shared and re-shared. We now see young folders clutching their own Origami Yodas folded from Tom Angleberger’s published tales, The Strange Case of
