The Public Paperfolding History Project

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Last updated 17/7/2024

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Folded Paper Human Figures
 
This page is being used to collect information about the history of folded paper Human Figures. Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

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1845

Diagrams for many human figures appear in the 'Kan No Mado', which is usually dated to 1845. Two examples are shown below.

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Don Simon - 1875 onwards

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1878

Illustrations of six human figures appear in 'Yochien Ombutsu No Zu', a publication of kindergarten material issued by the Tokyo Women's Normal School in 1878.

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Fukusuke - 1885 onwards

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The same book also contains illustrations of designs for figures of 'tonosama' and 'okusama' (nobleman and noblewoman).

and for Nikki Danjo, a popular kabuki character (an evil magician.)

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1893

A compound design for a 'Western Person' appears in 1893 in volume 5 issue 10 of 'Shokokumin' children's magazine.

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1895

A human figure identified as 'Yukifuri Dosha' (Person walking in snow), appears in issue 1895/2 of the Japanese children's magazine 'Shokokumin'. (Compare Yukinko in the entry for 1935 below.)

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The Postman - 1905 onwards

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1914

Diagrams for this 'Doll' design appear in 'Zhe zhi tu shuo' (Illustrated Paperfolding), compiled by Gui Shaolie, which was published by the Commercial Press in Shanghai in Ming guo 3 (1914). The head of this figure is the Pavilion, and the two parts of the body are both developed from Flapping Birds.

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1923

'Falten und Formen mit Papier' by Richard Rothe which was published by Deutscher Verlag für Jugend und Volk in Vienna and Leipzig in 1923, contains an illustrtation of some Japanese Folded Human Figures. The text says inter alia 'These come from the same school in Tokyo and show that there, too, the making of toys is occasionally included in the lessons ... the shapes are similar to each other but each time with small changes'.

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Hina Dolls / Emperor and Empress Figures - 1931 onwards

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1935

'Origami Moyo, Book Two' by Kawarazaki Kodo, which was published in Japan in 1935, contains a print showing a human figure, who is possibly to be identified as Nikki Danjo.

The same book contains a second figure which is possibly to be identified as Yukinko.

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1939

'El Mundo de Papel' by Dr Nemesio Montero, which was published by G Miranda in Edicions Infancia in Valladolid in 1939, contains a design called 'El Esquiador' (The Skier).

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1944

A compound figure Girl's Youth League figure (from two bird bases with inserted circular head) appears in 'Origami Shuko' by Isao Honda, which was published in 1944.

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The same work contains a compound Boy's Youth League figure (from two bird bases with inserted circular head).

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The same work contains a compound Nurse (from two bird bases with inserted circular head).

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1951

'Origami: Folding Paper for Children' by Claude Sarasas, which was first published by Kodansha in Tokyo in 1951, contains diagrams for:

The Juggler (Cut)

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Mandarin (Cut)

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There is an improved head for the 'Skier', 'Nueva Cabeza de Hombre' (New Head of Man), in the extended version of 'El Mundo de Papel' by Dr Nemesio Montero, which was published by G Miranda in Edicions Infancia in Valladolid in 1951.

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The extended version of 'El Mundo de Papel' by Dr Nemesio Montero, which was published by G Miranda in Edicions Infancia in Valladolid in 1951, also contains a human figure called 'El Penitente Encapuchado' (The Hooded Penitent) and 'La Damisela' (The Damsel)

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La Damisela

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1956

'Paper Magic' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1956, contains diagrams for two human figures attributed to a 'pupil of Unamuno'. The Introduction says:

The Moor at Prayer

The text says, 'Spanish origin, created by a pupil of Unamuno.'

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The Moor at the Fireside

The text says, 'Origin: Spanish'.

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The same book also contains diagrams for:

The Bearded Pilgrim (attributed to Rolf Harris)

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Santa Claus / Man in a Duffle Coat (attributed to Rolf Harris)

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1958

A very simple cut clown appears in 'Origami: Book Two' by Florence Sakade, which was published by the Charles E Tuttle Company in Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo in 1958

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1968

'Origami in the Classroom: Book 2: Activities for winter through summer' by Chiyo Araki, which was published by Charles E Tuttle Co Inc in 1968, contains designs for a 'Clown' and a 'Clown's Face', both cut.

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