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Hyper Japan Festival Origami Workshops 2025
Hyper Japan Origami Workshops 2025 Master Class
Hyper Japan Masterclass Webpage: https://hyperjapan.co.uk/masterclass/
Hyper Japan Ticket Page: https://hyperjapan.co.uk/tickets/
Hyper Japan Ticket Page: https://hyperjapan.co.uk/tickets/
Master Class Description and What You Will Learn
The Hyper Japan Origami Workshops 2025 Master Class offers an immersive and enriching experience into the traditional Japanese art of origami, designed for enthusiasts seeking to deepen their understanding and refine their skills. Hosted as part of the Hyper Japan Festival, the UK’s largest celebration of Japanese culture, this master class provides a unique opportunity to engage with origami under the guidance of expert instructors. It caters to participants with varying levels of experience, from those with basic folding knowledge to advanced practitioners aiming to master intricate designs. The workshop emphasizes not only technical proficiency but also the cultural and historical significance of origami, fostering a holistic appreciation of this timeless craft.
Participants in the 2025 master class will learn advanced origami techniques, focusing on complex models that go beyond the well-known paper crane. The curriculum is designed to teach precision folding, modular origami, and the creation of dynamic, three-dimensional structures. You will explore a variety of folds, including valley, mountain, pleat, and sink folds, which form the foundation of sophisticated designs. The class will guide you through crafting models such as the Kawasaki rose, a dragon with detailed scales, and modular kusudama (decorative paper balls). These models challenge participants to understand geometric principles, spatial awareness, and the interplay of form and function in origami.
Beyond technical skills, the master class delves into the aesthetic and philosophical aspects of origami. You will learn how to select appropriate paper types and colors to enhance the visual impact of your creations, as well as how to incorporate storytelling elements into your designs, a practice rooted in Japanese tradition. For example, instructors may share the cultural significance of the crane, a symbol of peace and longevity, or the frog, associated with good fortune. The workshop also introduces participants to the concept of “orikata,” the ceremonial folding practices used in historical Japan, providing insight into how origami was once a ritualistic art form among the samurai and nobility.
The master class fosters creativity by encouraging participants to personalize their designs. You will learn to experiment with patterns, textures, and even custom paper designs to create unique pieces. For advanced learners, the workshop may include an introduction to wet-folding techniques, which allow for smoother, more sculptural forms by slightly dampening the paper. This technique, popularized by origami master Akira Yoshizawa, adds a layer of sophistication to models, enabling rounded, organic shapes. By the end of the session, participants will have created several high-level origami pieces to take home, along with the skills to continue exploring the art independently.
Lesson Structure
The Hyper Japan Origami Master Class is structured as an intensive, hands-on workshop, typically lasting 2–3 hours, depending on the session. It begins with a brief introduction to the history and cultural context of origami, setting the stage for a deeper appreciation of the craft. The instructor, often a renowned origami artist or a member of a Japanese cultural organization, provides a live demonstration of basic and advanced folding techniques, ensuring participants understand the foundational skills before progressing.
The workshop is divided into three main phases:
Instruction and Demonstration (30–45 minutes): The instructor presents a step-by-step guide to folding one or two complex models, such as a dragon or a modular star. Visual aids, such as large-scale models or projected diagrams, are used to clarify each fold. Participants are encouraged to follow along with practice paper during this phase to familiarize themselves with the techniques.
Guided Practice (1–1.5 hours): Participants work on their own models under the instructor’s guidance. The class is kept small (typically 10–20 participants) to ensure personalized attention. Instructors circulate to offer feedback, correct mistakes, and suggest refinements. This phase emphasizes precision and patience, as complex models require careful attention to detail. Participants may work on one primary model or multiple smaller ones, depending on the session’s focus.
Creative Exploration and Wrap-Up (30–45 minutes): In the final phase, participants are encouraged to experiment with their designs, such as adding decorative elements or combining models into a larger composition. The instructor provides tips on how to continue practicing origami at home, including resources for patterns and paper sourcing. The session concludes with a group discussion, where participants can share their creations, ask questions, and learn about the broader applications of origami in art, design, and even engineering.
The structure is designed to be interactive and engaging, balancing instruction with hands-on practice. Participants leave with a sense of accomplishment, having mastered challenging folds and gained a deeper understanding of origami’s cultural roots.
Materials Used
The master class provides all necessary materials, ensuring participants have access to high-quality supplies suited for advanced origami. The primary material is origami paper, or “kami,” which is typically square, lightweight (60–80 g/m²), and colored on one side. The workshop includes a variety of kami in different sizes (ranging from 15 cm to 25 cm) and colors, allowing participants to experiment with visual effects. Some sessions may also provide specialty papers, such as washi (traditional Japanese paper made from mulberry fibers), which is known for its strength and texture, or foil-backed paper for models requiring a metallic sheen.
In addition to paper, participants receive access to folding tools such as bone folders for crisp creases and tweezers for precise manipulation of small folds. Diagrams and instructional booklets are provided to guide participants during and after the workshop. For wet-folding exercises, spray bottles or damp cloths may be used to lightly moisten the paper, and participants are taught how to handle this technique safely to avoid tearing. All materials are included in the workshop fee, and participants can take their creations and any leftover paper home as souvenirs.
YouTube Channel Recommendation
For those looking to continue their origami journey, the YouTube channel Jo Nakashima is highly recommended. Jo Nakashima offers clear, detailed tutorials for a wide range of origami models, from beginner to expert level. His videos feature on-screen diagrams and step-by-step instructions, making complex designs accessible. You can explore his channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@jonakashima.
Brief History of Origami
Origami, derived from the Japanese words “ori” (to fold) and “kami” (paper), is the traditional art of paper folding, transforming a flat sheet into intricate sculptures without cuts or glue. While often associated with Japan, its origins are debated, with possible roots in China, where paper was invented around 105 CE by Cai Lun. Paper folding likely emerged after papermaking spread to Japan via Buddhist monks by the 6th century. Early Japanese paper folding, known as “orikata,” was ceremonial, used in Shinto rituals and among the samurai for wrapping gifts with symbolic folds, reflecting respect and sincerity.
By the Edo period (1603–1868), origami became more recreational, with models like the crane gaining cultural significance as symbols of peace and longevity. The 1797 book Sembazuru Orikata detailed how to fold linked cranes, marking one of the earliest instructional texts. Origami’s evolution was further shaped by German educator Friedrich Froebel in the 19th century, who incorporated paper folding into kindergarten curricula, emphasizing its educational benefits in geometry and creativity. This influence reached Japan, where the term “origami” became standardized.
The 20th century saw origami’s global rise, largely due to Akira Yoshizawa (1911–2005), considered the father of modern origami. Yoshizawa introduced wet-folding techniques and created thousands of original designs, elevating origami to an art form. His 1955 exhibition in Amsterdam, organized by folklorist Gershon Legman, introduced origami to the West, inspiring figures like Lillian Oppenheimer, who popularized the term in America. Today, origami transcends cultural boundaries, influencing art, mathematics, and engineering, with applications in foldable medical stents and space technology. Its meditative quality and accessibility—requiring only a sheet of paper—continue to captivate people worldwide, making it a universal language of creativity.
Paul (Poison Fish) Manjyu Woodman
