A Consideration of Scientific-Technical Aspects and Artistic Aspect of Origami Engineering-Aiming to Create New Big Industries and a New Fan Culture

Abstract Washi (Japanese paper) is virtually the world’s first foldable paper. It is inevitable that origami is born and nurtured in Japan. Origami consists of 4 types such as courtesy origami dedicated to god, play origami such as cranes and turtles, modern origami such as floor gate fold and biomimetics origami for origami engineering. All of these four types of origami have been born from Japan. Thanks to Japan’s isolation during the Edo period (1603–1868A.D.) and a peaceful and prosperous era, art and culture such as haiku (poetry), kabuki (theater), noh (dance-drama) and ogi (folding fans) peculiar to Japan were nurtured. Origami has long been a precious art and was not considered to be a target for money in Japan. But during World War II, British engineers developed a mass production method for honeycombs, inspired by Japanese Tanabata decorations which developed into a trillion yen industry. This fact inspired us to start origami engineering in 2002 of which possibility will be discussed here.