Index Page

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This page attempts to record what is known about the history of the traditional origami design known as the Cocotte (in French) and the Pajarita (in Spanish) in Japan. Please contact me if you know any of the information on this page is incorrect or if you have any other important information that should be added. Thank you.

There are separate pages about the history of the Cocotte / Pajarita:

During the years 1800 to 1850

During the years 1850 to 1899

During the years 1900 to 1949

During the years 1950 to 1970

An Introduction giving general information about this design can be found in the page relating to the years 1800 to 1850.

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Chronology

According to Koshiro Hatori in his article 'History of Origami in the East and the West before Interfusion', published in 'Origami 5: Fifth International Meeting of Origami, Science, Mathematics and Education', the Cocotte / Pajarita design was not known in Japan until the kindergarten system became established there (in 1876).

1878

A picture of the Cocotte / Pajarita design appears in 'Yochien Ombutsu No Zu', a publication of kindergarten material issued by the Tokyo Women's Normal School in 1878.

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Incidentally, the design shown below, which is a simple dog, or puppy, derived from a Cocotte / Pajarita by the addition of one extra fold, is said to be of Japanese origin and to possibly date back to the Meiji period (1868 - 1912). Unfortunately, at present, I do not know of any evidence to support either of these assertions.

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