ORIGAMI IOS NEWS

FOR more than half a century Akira Yoshizawa was
the most famous origami artist in the world.

"TIMES ONLINE"

ORIGAMI FLEW BACK TO JAPAN

from Asahi Newspapar (Eveninng edition) Sep. 8th, 2004

Mr. Akira Yoshizawa 93, has been known as an authority of creative Origami who established Origami as Japanese figurative art. This year, his models of early days were returned to him after 51 years of absence. "It's so nice to see them again...." says Mr. Yoshizawa, taking his cherished models in his hands one after another.
Those were about 40 of 300 models which had been lost since after the exhibition in the Netherlands. Among them, "A willow Tits" was the one with a mother bird feeding her baby bird in the nest. "My Self-portrait" was literally the one that he created his own face. Those models were packaged in exactly the same hand made boxes which Mr. Yoshizawa had prepared specially and sent on loan by the request of an American professor for the exhibition in 1953.
In 1955, ten years after the end of the War, Mr. Yoshizawa's very first exhibition abroad was held in Amsterdam arranged by the American proffesor. The exhibition was so successful that not only many people in the Netherlands, but also the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs were impressed at his artistic world of Origami. Since then, he has been requested to visit more than 50 countries on goodwill mission through Origami.
After the exhibition in Amsterdam, Mr. Yoshizawa was told that all of those models were sent to America and lost there. However, several of those had been kept under the care of the American professor without telling him so. After the death of the professor, the bereaved family donated those models to the British Origami Society, an English organization of worldwide Origami lovers and artists.
About the end of the last year, Mr. Yoshizawa's wife Kiyo 76, saw the photograph of his "Owl" which was exhibited in Amsterdam, appeared in the bulletin of BOS. Then, it was the beginning of "homecoming" of his "lost" models.
As he saw the "My Self-portrait" coming out from the box, he broke into a broad smile. Since he couldn't visit Amsterdam exhibition, he had sent his folded "Self-portrait" on behalf of himself. Now, it appears a little older than him.
When he just started to be regarded as a new Origami artist, he lived in poverty. Remembering those days, his eyes are filled with mingled feelings of joy and sorrow.
"I feel these are true basics alive from which he has come to create and dvelop ideas for present models." says Kiyo explaining the importance of those models not only from an artistic point of view but also historical one. Without glue and scissors, only by folding lines by hands, Mr. Yoshizawa had accomplished his original technique and art of expressing natural objects so realistically and lively.
After fixing some of those models, he hopes to exhibit them.

Photo: Mr. Akira Yoshizawa smiling with his "Self-portrait" of 51 years ago.

The 41st SUMMER SPECIAL SEMINAR 2011

The year 2011 is the centenary anniversary of Akira Yoshizawa’s birth. It may be meaningful time for all of us to share precious memories of Akira Yoshizawa with Mrs.Kiyo Yoshizawa and Ms.Tamiko Kikugawa in this special year. Akira Yoshizawa always said, “Each and every life has its own form.” He studied simple but effective folding lines and suitable selection of paper for models so carefully. With such elaborate preparation, he succeeded to create exquisite models with full of life. Through this seminar, you may find important hints to develop your Origami skills and techniques.
We are looking forward to seeing you all Origami fans. Beginners are also welcome and elementary course is ready for you.

International Origami Society

Date: July 30th(Sat)－August 1st(Mon), 2011
Place: Shonan Village Center
1560-39, Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama-machi, Miura-gun, Kanagawa-ken, Japan
Tel: (046)855-1800
*20minutes by bus (or taxi) from JR/Yokosuka-line Zushi Station or Keihin-Kyuko line Shin-Zushi Station

Study Program:
Reviewing how to simplify and make effective folding lines for cubic models. Study basic theories again and improve your skills.
Adjustment of paper―Explanation and demonstration of lining papers
Structure and production of relief(on a panel or a square sheet of thick paper).
Production of cubic models
Lecture on how to teach Origami to others

Privileges: The certificate of special seminar will be granted.
Models will be chosen and displayed at the Society’s Exhibition.
Participation Fee: (Course tuition, material fee and accommodation included)
Domestic participants: \62,000　　Overseas participant: \47,000　　(\＝Japanese Yen)
*Participation fees will be collected at the registration desk.

Schedules:
July 30th(Sat) 1:00pm Registration & Reception
1:30pm－9:00pm Lectures & Study session
Jul 31st 9:00am－9:00pm Lectures & Study session
August 1st 9:00am－12:00pm Lectures & Study session, Lunch, Dismissal
We will give you detailed schedules at the seminal hall when you arrive here.

Application: Applications will be accepted by mail or E-mail.
*By mail, please send the following form to IOS.
(Address of IOS)　
INTERNATIONAL ORIGAMI SOCIETY
PO Box3, Ogikubo, Tokyo, 167-8691, Japan
*By E-mail, please write that you want to apply for the Summer Seminar 2011, with your name, address, zip code, country and phone number. shiokawa@db3.so-net.ne.jp
Applications must arrive us no later than June 30, 2011
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2011 SPECIAL SEMINAR APPLICATION FORM

Name:
Zip Code & Adress:
Phone. & Fax.
Country: Application Month/Date:

The 36th Special Summer Seminar




Looking Back on the 36th Special Summer Seminar

The annual Special Summer Seminar closed successfully with all programs being finished completely.
Starting with the 1st seminar in Kyoto, we held 36th in Shonan, this year. It was our first time to invite a special guest lecturer from outside of our organization. Professor Izumi Kimura from Chukyo University whose specialty was Information Science. He has been working on the research of “The detailed structure of results in a long-term practice and its application” using the Origami model of “Wren” as experimental materials, which was originally created by Akira Yoshizawa.
Prof. Kimura cherished the encounter with “Wren” and is still fascinated with its power and exquisite beauty. For more than 10 years, he continued folding this model for experiments, and now the number of folded wrens reached to 160.000. We were very impressed at his enthusiastic attitude towards this research.
Yoshizawa pointed out, “Once you understand how to fold the model, it would be better to finish folding as fast as you can without hesitation. Taking a long time for holding models in hands isn’t so necessary for good results.” At the same time, we realize that there are complicated models with delicate folding lines that require different conditions, in order to pursue artistic value.
The late Akira Yoshizawa knew well of the importance of the relationship between human’s ability and efficiency. As he had experienced working as an iron maker, he explained that the necessity of making iron models, Jig(mining tool) with sophisticated mechanism, and technical skill of Fraise(boring machine), were inseparable elements for making ironworks. They were related so closely that reflected to each other so as one’s ability and efficiency.
The“Wren” was a well-balanced cubic model with 3 or 4 centers of gravity. It was an idealistic material model since the shape of “Wren” could give us various impressions from various angles. It was unusual to paste such model to thick square paper(Shikishi), but this time at the seminar, we thought it would be helpful for participants to see three forms of “Wren” well and to review what we had studied. Thanks to Prof. Kimura, we had such a good chance to see this model from many other points of view.
When Yoshizawa created Origami models of living creatures of natural world, he started with studying their habits, forms, and frameworks so elaborately. Then he expressed them using only one paper for each, by folding lines solely, without cutting or glueing. Through such process of creating, he laid special emphasis on the importance of learning perception=insights. We could see the reason why many people admitted that Yoshizawa’s Creative Origami would last not only as far as 100 years ahead, but forever.
In this seminar, we hoped you all participants to study that Yoshizawa’s models had multiple meanings and that he tried to express the profound truth of art. You may see through your intuition, or touch the essence Origami after careful studies.
For the demonstration of lining papers for the model “Razorback” as a cubic model, we used handmade Japanese papers. After studying how to cut (Keshodachi), and moisten effectively, we started folding this model.
“Manta” (ray) had an amazing structure that gave us fresh surprise with its interesting folding lines no matter how many times we folded. Participants who had already learned how to fold studied advanced way of folding this time. Many folders enjoyed making “Manta” in various forms of small colorful fish. We set the theme “The Sea of Mantas” and attached them to wooden panels.
“Japanese Bride” was beautifully completed wit lining white an gaily colored handmade Japanese paper (Kozo).
We always select materials carefully for Origami. Lining could be easier for anyone if you used suitable papers. It would be much better and more desirable for putting backing papers to wooden panels with glue than using pins. That helped panels and models to look much finer and clearer. We provided same type of papers for materials that Yoshizawa himself used in his days.
We were happy to continue holding such seminars by requests of many Origami fans. The number of seminars, workshops and meetings held by our organization reached to hundreds of times during past 50 years. From now on, we hope to continue conveying the world of Yoshizawa’s Creative Origami, his superb skills, various episodes of his life.

Kiyo Yoshizawa
Participants studied how to fold “Manta” and attach to panels.

We invited Prof. Izumi Kimura as a guest lecturer for special session. With a detailed graph, he explained his unique research folding Yoshizawa’s “Wren” about 160,000 times for more than 10 years and collected all data. He would continue this research from now on.

The Power Law of Practice
by Prof. Izumi Kimura


The more you practice, the faster you will be able to finish your work. This is the Power of Practice.
If you practice one same work, the number of times (=n) becomes larger, the length of time required (=T[n]) becomes shorter. Put “n” to the X=axis, and “T[n]” to the y, and plot them to the logarithmic graph. This graph must make a straight line declining to the right.
I did this experiment with Origami. I folded a certain model many times and saw how much time to take for each. I set the videorecorder to check my work and to keep records. At the moment I finished folding, I saw the time clock of the videorecorder to the second and wrote it down to worksheets.
For this experiment, I chose the Origami model “Wren” originally created by Mr. Akira Yoshizawa. His original model was simple but exquisitely beautiful. It was bold of me to use such a great model for my experiment. I was impressed by the power of his model since each one of those I folded for this experiment was so lively and enchanting. Also, even though all participants in this experiment folded this model for great number of times, they admitted that they had never got bored. Mr. Yoshizawa’s folding line was quite unique comparing with other traditional origami models. As he respected the creativity, the folders must select and decide some points of folding. That was why each model had a characteristic of each folder.
Fascinated with such interesting results, I have continued this experiment for almost 10 years. Now I still hope to pursue this for more than next 3 years.
There were four other members who have participated in this “Wren” experiment as an official one for a long time. Two of them still continue experimenting. Moreover, ten other people have experimented unofficially. I think such continuation leads to successful revelation of the essence of “Practice” more than ever.
In this session, I will show you data and records of my own experiment.
My points of this session are;

(1) According to the Power Law of Practice, logarithmic graph must make a straight line declining to the right. However, from my experiment, the line of graph made a zigzag one with regular patterns.

(2) I never discarded any models I have folded for this experiment. I have kept all models and recorded.

(3) As a result of 158,000 times of repetition, my skill of folding had become improved and now you can see my hands move very smoothly when I fold.

We were truly impressed by Prof. Kimura’s enthusiastic attitude and persistent. efforts for such a unique experiment.

From “IASAI News” No. 17;
Studying how to fold models. Adjustment of papers & Demonstration of lining papers
Rep. Kiyo Yoshizawa with commemorative plate granted by “Origami USA”(with the president of Origami USA, Mr. Tony Cheng)
Appreciation & Review of models(1)
The final day of this seminar, participants enjoyed looking at their completed fine models. Panels of “The Sea of Mantas” and thick square papers(Shikishi) of “3 forms of Wren” were lined up beautifully. Although everyone folded with same theme, each model looked so different and unique. Participants carefully listened to every comments from viewers and watched eagerly other participant’s works.
Appreciation & Review of models(2)
2 forms of “Razorback”, Japanese Zodiac sign of the next year, folded with lining handmade Japanese papers. Such cubic models made viewers see each folder’s ability quite clear.
Appreciation & Review of models(3)
“Japanese Bride”, folded with lining white and gaily colored handmade Japanese papers. Participants were fascinated with Yoshizawa’s Creative Origami creating such a dainty figure with only one paper. Each model had a characteristic of each folder since the ratio of folding line depended on the selection of folders. Using delicate special papers, those would be memorable models for folders with strong attachment.
After the appreciation and review of models, participants were granted certifications of the seminar. We are looking forward to seeing you all again.
The closing event of this seminar was the exhibition of Akira Yoshizawa’s models. All participants were delighted to see his models so closely and went back home with content. 12 animals of “Japanese Zodiac Signs”. These models were desirable materials for studying various animal’s forms.


Toppage