On My Bookshelf

This week's book is a recent addition to my growing collection of Origami books. I used to have many more books about origami but I donated a good portion of them years ago when my library was just getting too large to manage. The difficulty with origami books is that you either love them or hate them.

There are mainly two types of books--those that are diagrammed and those that are illustrated (usually with pictures). Either type has its followers and you usually follow one style or the other. If you are well versed in the directions/symbols of basic origami, you tend to follow the first type. If you are relatively new or don't care for the diagrams you tend to follow the second. The difficulty with the second type, for me, is that you really have to compare and concentrate on the pictures to notice the differences between step one and step two in order to know what to do. Today's book is of the second school of teaching.

The Simple Art of Japanese Papercrafts by Mari Ono provides instructions for 24 projects ranging from simple cranes to more elaborate decorative arts pieces. The illustrations are well photographed and easy to follow, although the written instructions are a little bit less successful. The author does provide some non-traditional methods, mainly cutting and gluing, that normally aren't found in regular origami books.

This is a basic book with mainly standard projects that can be found online or in other books. I have used many of the projects for Japanese themed parties to hold food, presents and hostess gifts. Recommended for the novice folder or those wanting to add to their collection.

My only gripe about the book is that it comes with "origami paper" which really is misleading. The 50 sheets of paper provided are not washi (the traditional origami folding paper) but rather plain paper that has been printed with traditional origami designs. There is a difference but unfortunately that difference is lost on the marketers of "origami paper" here in the United States.

Japanese origami boxes

Full Disclosure: Neither Amazon., the authors, nor artists have provided any compensation for this review. This book was purchased online without a personal perusal before purchase.