The Public Paperfolding History Project

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Creative Origami by Kunihiko Kasahara, 1968
 
'Creative Origami' was published by Japan Publications in English in 1967. As far as I know there was no Japanese language version. I believe that the contents of both the hardback and the paperback version, and all printings, were identical.

The book consists of diagrams for original designs by the author. Most of the designs are from uncut squares or silver triangles (right angle isosceles triangles) but others are compound designs (some of which require to be glued together) and some few are cut.

The book was divided into five sections:

Chapter 1: Birds

Chapter 2: Animals

Chapter 3: Other Fauna and Flora

Chapter 4: Masks, People etc

Chapter 5: The Thrill of Creating. This chapter sets out Kasahara's creative method and discusses various aspects of paperfolding ethics:

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A full copy of the paperback version of the work can be accessed here.

A Spanish translation was published as 'Papiroflexia Creativa' in 1993. A full copy pof this translation can be accessed here.

The designs shown in the Analysis are not necessarily in the order in which they appear in the book. Unless otherwise stated all designs are from a single square.

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Analysis

The designs shown here are those which are fully diagrammed in the main body of the work. I have not included designs which are only shown in photographs or are explained in the final chapter of the book.

Hen and Chick

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Swan and Baby Swan

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Penguin and Baby Penguin

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Swallow (Cut)

The forked tail is created using a cut.

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Mandarin Ducks

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Wild Duck (from a silver triangle)

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Seagull (from a silver triangle)

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Flying Eagle

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Stork

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Flying Pheasant

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Standing Pheasant

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Duck

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Pelican

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Parakeet (Cut)

The crest is created using a cut.

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Crane and Flamingo

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Owl

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Peacock

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Strutting Peacock (Compound Design from two silver triangles)

Only the creases patterns are given.

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Long-tailed Chicken

No folding instructions given.

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Lyre Bird

No folding instructions given.

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Gamecock

No drawing of the finished design is given.

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Baby Monkey

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Baby Elephant

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Snake

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Squirrel

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Bear

From a blintzed base

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Mouse

(from a silver triangle)

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Monkey

(from a silver triangle)

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Gorilla

(from a silver triangle)

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Giraffe (three-legged or cut to release the fourth leg)

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Camel (three-legged)

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Lizard

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Deer (seated version)

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Deer (standing version)

A photograph of a standing (presumably three-legged) version is given but the folding method is not explained.

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Ram (seated version)

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Ram (standing version)

A photograph of a standing (presumably three-legged) version is given but the folding method is not explained.

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Running Deer (two or three-part compound design assembled without glue).

The antlers are made from either a single quarter size square or two eighth size silver triangles.

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Lion and Lioness (compound designs)

In both cases the rear legs are made from quarter size squares.

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Chimpanzee

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Tyrannosaur

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Kangaroo

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Bull (glued compound design)

The rear legs are made from a second, quarter size, square.

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Tiger (glued compound design)

The rear legs are made from a second, quarter size, square.

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Rhinocerous (glued compound design)

The rear legs are made from a second, quarter size, square.

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Horse (glued compound design)

From two bird bases.

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Dragon (glued compound design)

The front and back legs are made from two squares of the same size. The head is made from a third, quarter size, square.

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Locust - a version of the Kabuto Base Cicada made from a silver triangle.

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Grasshopper - made from a silver triangle.

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Rhinocerous Beetle - made from a silver triangle.

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Dragonfly - made from a silver triangle.

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Bee - made from a silver triangle.

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Ant (Cut) - made from a silver triangle.

A cut is used to create the antennae.

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Praying Mantis - made from a silver triangle.

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Crawfish - made from a silver triangle.

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Goldfish - made from a silver triangle.

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Shark

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Blowfish (Cut)

A cut is uded to create 'a cute mouth'.

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Daddy and Baby Seahorse

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Whale

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Flower in a Vase (multiple sheet design)

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Tulip (glued multiple sheet design)

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Pansy (multiple sheet design wired together)

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Rose

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Butterfly

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Snail

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Chrysanthemum / Gentian

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Sunflower

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Crab

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Octopus

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Squid (two-part compound design)

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Indian

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Mephistopheles

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Skull Mask

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One-Eyed Pirate

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Sheikh

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Viking Helmet

Add to Sheikh to create a Viking Warrior

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Witch

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Moses (three -part compound figure - body / staff / beard)

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Sphinx

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Pyramid

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Shepherd

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Tree in Full Foliage

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Tree in Winter

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Nun

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Lady of Fashion (from a silver triangle)

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Crib and Baby

The Baby is from a silver rectangle. The face is drawn onto a separate circle of paper.

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The Cross

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St Mary

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Mask of Pan

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Missing Link

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Astronaut

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Rocket

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Bright Star

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Seated Buddha

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