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Last updated 10/12/2024

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'Origami: Japanese Paper Folding' was published in English by Toto Shuppan Company Ltd in Tokyo in 1957, and distributed by Japan Publications Trading Company Ltd. The author's name is not given but it is clear from the content and the diagramming style that the author was Isao Honda. The work is said to have been edited by the Toto Origami Club, a clear reference to the name of the publisher.

A second edition of the work was published in the same year with minor changes to the cover and publishing information. The positions of two of the photos on the cover were transposed, thus bringing the penguin to the centre, and the words 'Penguin book' were added. On the first internal page the words' Isao Honda, President' were added underneath the reference to the 'Toto Origami Club. On the last internal page the publisher's address ws removed and the words 'Illustrations Kihei Kai' were added. The relevent parts of the two editions are shown side by side below. It is possible that this second edition was issued in 1958 when the companion 'Monkey book' was released.

The author does not state whether the designs are traditional, his own original work, or the original work of some other designer.

There are diagrams for 17 designs, and photos of another 13 which the author says are 'to appear in future editions'.

Six folded models are glued onto the pages.

The introduction to the work states:

There is a low-res copy of the complete work at the foot of this page.

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Analysis

The work contains diagrams for:

1. A Seagull - The Simple Duck

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2. A Swan - The Simple Swan

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3. A Seal - The Fish-Base Seal

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4. A Penguin - The Fish-Base Penguin

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5. A Samurai Helmet - The Kabuto

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6. A Goldfish - The Cut Goldfish

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7. A Boat - The Fishing Boat

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8. A Glider - The Carrier Pigeon

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9. A Box - The Star-Shaped Box

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10. A Morning-Glory - The Morning Glory (Cut)

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11. A Crane - The Paper Crane

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12. A Peacock - Honda's Peacock

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13. A Peahen - The Peahen

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14. A Horse - Honda's Compound Horse

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15. A Donkey - Honda's Compound Donkey

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16. An Iris - The Iris

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17 An Eagle - Honda's Compound Eagle

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And additionally photographs of:

A Wild Duck - The Wild Duck

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A Flying Crane - The Flying Heron

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A Dog - Honda's Compound Dog

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A Bat - The Cut Bat

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A Fish - The Cut Bird-Base Fish

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A Lobster - The Cut Lobster

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A Giraffe - Honda's Compound Giraffe

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An Elephant - Honda's Compound Elephant

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A Deer - Honda's Compound Deer

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A Crow -The Crow with Legs

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A Duck - The Standing Duck

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Not named - The Lotus

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Not named - The Blow-up Frog

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The Work

(Images taken from the original edition)

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