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An abridged, 'popular', paperback edition, which omitted the colour plates at the front of the book (though they still appear on the cover) and by far the most interesting section of the original book from a historical perspective (from page 201 onwards), was published in 1976.

A Japanese language version 'Nihon no Kokoro Dento Origami' (Heart of Japan, Traditional Origami) was published in 1969.

Some useful biographical information about Isao Honda was printed on the inside flaps of the dust jacket. This was also included in the abridged version. For details see The Paperfolding of Isao Honda.

The author states that some of the designs in the work are his own original creations but does not include labels to tell the reader which these are. It is therefore often impossible to know if a design is a traditional one or Honda's own. It is also worth noting that Honda does not appear to be aware that some of the traditional designs he includes are of European rather than Japanese origin.

The designs are made from several different shapes of paper, squares, other rectangles, equilateral triangles, right angle isosceles triangles, hexagons, pentagons etc. Some are made from bases divided into sections by slits.

Many of the designs make use of cuts, sometimes to allow the creation of the basic form of the design but in other cases simply to add detail. Some are also decorated to enhance their appearance.

The book contains three designs for crabs (Michio Uchiyama's Crab from a slit square with additional cuts used to create the shape of the head / eyes, the Kan-no-mado Crab from four partially separated squares, and another modern crab from two partly separated squares) and three for dragonflies (a version from a bird base in which a cut is used to separate the front and back wings, an uncut version from a hexagon and a reconstruction of the Kan-no-mado Dragonfly from a partially slit octagon). A comparison of these designs is useful for illuminating the development of techniques for adding verisimilitude to representational designs in the Japanese tradition.

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Introduction

The structure of the work is:

Introductory chapters on 'The Origins of Origami' and 'The Origami Tradition'.

Chapters presenting instructions for making individual paperfolds differentiated by papershape and fundamental folds, first square paper, then rectangular paper, right triangular paper, triangular paper (equilateral paper), rhombic paper (diamond-shaped), pentagonal, hexagonal and octagonal paper, and finally other special shapes. The final section mostly explains heavily cut historical designs.

The book concludes with chapters on 'The Ideal Modern Origami' and 'Independent Creativity', and a Bibliographical Note (see below).

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The book uses 'we' throughout to mean 'I'. As far as I know there is no suggestion of any joint authorship of the work, although in many instances it is not clear whether the designs in the book are traditional or original designs by the author.

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Honda advances the idea that the discovery of the Paper Crane was 'accidental':

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One design in the book, the module folded from a diamond which makes the 'Rhombus Constructions' is attributed to Akira Yoshizawa. Two designs, the 'Chinese Bellflower' and the 'Azalea Blossom' are attributed to Ryutaro Tsuchida (who is otherwise unknown to me).

There are several places in which Honda claims to have originated the idea of folding compound figures and that certain compound designs, the peacock, horse, cat, monkey etc from two squares and the giraffe, alligator and three monkeys, from two equilateral triangles and rhombuses, are his own designs. The 'etc' presumably means that Honda is claiming to be the designer of the other compound figures in the work as well.

(from the biographical notes on the dust jacket)

From p261

From p252

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While Honda claims Yoshizawa as his pupil (from the biographical notes on the dust jacket)

and promotes Yoshizawa's book 'Origami Dokuhon', he also, on several occasions, denigrates Yoshizawa's creative work:

From p292

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At several points in the book the author discusses the ethics of using cuts. The chapter on 'The Ideal Modern Origami' includes a section 'The Yeas and Nays about Using Scissors'. in which Honda says:

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The passage 'some origami experts insist that using scissors in origami is illegal and are most proud that they do not use them in their own works' is probably another reference to Yoshizawa.

In the bibliography, Honda lists Michio Uchiyama's 'Sosaku Origami' and also takes the opportunity to again comment on his frequent use of cuts.

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The Designs

(Some designs from the Independent Creativity chapter have been included with the sections to which they more properly belong)

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Folded letters that form the word 'Origami' are embossed on the outside of the front board.

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The Fat Sparrow

Illustrated but not diagrammed.

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Square Paper - Diagonal Fold

1. Sailboat - The Yacht

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2. Butterfly - The Cut Butterfly

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3. Dove - The Dove

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4. Carrier Pigeon - The Carrier Pigeon

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5. Cup - The Paper Cup

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6. Basket (Cut) - The Paper Cup Basket

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7. Hat - The Paper Cup Hat

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8. Work Cap - The Paper Cup Cap

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9. Bird-face Cap - The Paper Cup Cap

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10. Japanese Helmet - The Long-Horned Kabuto

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11. Rabbit Hat - The Rabbit Hat

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12. Badger Hat

Developed from the Kabuto

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Square Paper - Seagull Base

13. Sea Gull - The Simple Duck

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14. Mandarin Duck - The Mandarin Duck

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15. Cormorant - The Simple Swan

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16. Shrimp - The Cut Shrimp

This design uses cuts to create the feelers.

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17. Swan - The Simple Swan

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Square Paper - Seal Base

18. Seal (Cut) - The Fish-Base Seal

This design uses a cut to separate the back legs.

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19 and 20. Penguins - The Fish-Base Penguin

The version on the right has an improved head.

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21. Octagonal Ornament

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22. Flower Model - The Novelty Purse

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Square Paper - Book Fold

23. Boat - The Inside Out Boat

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24. Fishing Boat - The Fishing Boat

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25. Motorboat - The Sampan

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26. Fox Mask - The Fox Mask

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27. Sailboat - The Boat with Sail

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28. Double Boat - The Double Boat

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29. Changeable Pictures - Japanese Transformable Picture Forms

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30 and 31. Photograph Frames

31 is The Flower-Pattern Photo-Frame

These are fundamentally Froebelian Forms of Beauty

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32. Pencil Box - The Pencil Box

Developed from the right hand of the two Photograph Frames above.

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33. House - The Japanese House

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34. Overseas Cap - The Nurse's Cap

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35. Winnowing Box - The Winnowing Box

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36. Box - The Blintz Box

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37. Snail - The Cut Snail

A cut is used to create the horns.

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Square Paper - All-corner Fold

38. Lotus Blossom - The Lotus

The Independent Creativity chapter mentions that it is possible to create a 'Rose' by placing one Lotus blossom inside another, the inner blossom being folded from a smaller shert of paper.

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39. Pinwheel - The Bi-colour Windmill

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40. Yakkosan - Yakkosan

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41. Picture Forms - Simple Fukusuke

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42. Flower-shaped Candy Cup - The Spanish Box

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43. Sambo - The Sanbo

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44. The Sambo on Legs - The Sanbo on Legs

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45. Cake Dish

A version of The Sanbo on Legs

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Square Paper - Crane Base

46 and 47 show how to fold the bird base

48. Crane - The Paper Crane

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49. The Star-shaped Box - The Star-Shaped Box

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50. Morning Glory - The Morning Glory (Cut)

A cut is used to shape the head of the flower.

The Independent Creativity chapter shows how a Carnation can be made by varying the shape of the cut.

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51. Cake Box - The Cake Box

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52. Hibachi - The Hibachi

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53. Christmas Tree Ornament - The Kikuzara

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54. Kago - The Sedan Chair

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55. Dragonfly - Another Cut Dragonfly

Cuts are used to separate the front and back wings.

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56. Stork - The Cut Flying Crane

A cut is used to separate the legs.

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57. White Heron - The Cut Flying Heron

A cut is used to create the crest at the back of the head and another to separate the legs.

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58. Nesting Crane - The Nesting Crane

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59. Hen - The Hen with Legs

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60. Horned Owl - The Cut Owl

A cut is used to create the horns and another to separate the feet.

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61. Crow - The Crow with Legs

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62. Japanese Nightingale - The Cut Nightingale

Cuts are used to separate the tail from the wings.

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63. Canary - The Cut Canary

Cuts are used to separate the tail from the wings.

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64. Sparrow - The Cut Sparrow

Cuts are used to separate the tail from the wings.

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65. Standing Crane - The Standing Crane

The Independent Creativity chapter shows how the pose of this design can be varied.

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66. Dove (Cut) -

Cuts are used to separate the tail from the wings.

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67. Goldfish - The Cut Bird-Base Goldfish

Several cuts are used in this design.

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68. Fish - The Cut Bird-Base Fish

A cut is used to separate the two halves of the tail.

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69. Pheasant - The Bird-Base Pheasant

A Pheasant with an improved head is shown in a photograph.

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70. Peacock - Honda's Compound Peacock

Two-piece compound design using string and glue. A cut is used to create the crest.

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71. Turkey (Cut) - The Cut Turkey

Several cuts are used in this design.

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72. Balloon - The Waterbomb

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73. Frog - The Inflatable Frog

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74. Phantom - The Cut Phantom

A cut is used to create the Phantom's hood.

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75. Lily - The Lily

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Rectangular Paper

76. Paper Cracker - The Paper Banger

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77. Paper Hat - a version of the Le Bonnet Carre

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78. Waste-paper Basket - a version of Le Bonnet Carre

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79. and 80. The Folding Box - The Collapsible Box (2 versions)

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81. Kimono - The Kimono

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82. Jacket

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Compound Figures (Square Paper)

This section contains mostly compound representational designs, which are made in two pieces and glued together, and the vast majority of which are made using cuts, in some cases just to add detail, such as separating the ears, but in others to help create the main shape of the design, plus a miscellany of multiple sheet and modular designs tagged on at the end, not all of which are made from square paper.

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83. Rooster - Honda's Compound Cock

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84. Horse - Honda's Compound Horse

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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85. Deer - Honda's Compound Deer

Several cuts are used to create the horns.

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86. Reindeer - Honda's Compound Reindeer

Several cuts are used to create the horns.

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87. Rabbit - Honda's Compound Rabbit

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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88. Pegasus - Honda's Compound Pegasus

A cut is used to separate the front legs from the wings and another to separate the ears.

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89. Pointer - Honda's Compound Dog

A cut is used to separate the ears.

The Independent Creativity chapter shows how this design can be varied by changing the configuration of the folds and by introducing a further cut to change the shape of the ears.

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90. Cat - Honda's Compound Cat

Cuts are used to create the ears.

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91. Monkey - Honda's Compound Monkey

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92. Dachsund - Honda's Compound Daschund

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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93. Fox - Honda's Compound Fox

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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Coyote (Cut) (from the Independent Creativity chapter)

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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94. Seated Fox - Honda's Compound Fox

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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95. Badger - Honda's Compound Badger

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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96. Kangaroo - Honda's Compound Kangaroo

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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97. Camel - Honda's Compound Camel

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98. Goat - Honda's Compound Goat

Cuts are used to create the ears and horns.

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99. Kid - Honda's Compound Baby Goat

Cuts are used to create the ears.

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100. Lion - Honda's Compound Lion

Cuts are used to create the mane and the ears.

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101. Tiger - Honda's Compound Tiger

Cuts are used to create the ears.

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102. Squirrel - Honda's Compound Squirrel

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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103. Spitz - Honda's Compound Spitz

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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104. Seal - Honda's Compound Seal

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105. Bear - Honda's Compound Bear

Cuts are used to widen the rear half of the body and separate the ears.

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106. Fisherman Bear - Honda's Compound Standing Bear

Cuts are used to widen the rear half of the body and separate the ears.

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107. Wolf ( - Honda's Compound Coyote

A cut is used to separate the ears.

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108. Elephant - Honda's Compound Elephant

Cuts are used to create the bulk of the body and to separate the ears.

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109. Polar Bear - Honda's Compound Polar Bear

Cuts are used to widen the rear half of the body and separate the ears.

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110. Rhinocerous - Honda's Compound Rhinocerous

Cuts are used to create the bulk of the body and to separate the ears.

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111. Pig - Honda's Compound Pig

Cuts are used to create the bulk of the body and to separate the ears.

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112. Cow - Honda's Compound Cow

Cuts are used to create the bulk of the body and to create the horns.

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113. Water Buffalo - Honda's Compound Water Buffalo

Cuts are used to create the bulk of the body and to create the horns.

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114. Wallet - The Three-Piece Purse

From three squares.

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115. Thread Container - The Thread Container

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116. Cubical Box - The Tematebako

From six cut Thread Containers

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117 and 118. Six-Sided Box and Hanging Ornament - The Hexagonal Tematebako

From six cut Thread Containers and plaited tassles

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119. Mystery Box - The Mystery Box

From six 5x1 rectangles

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120. Hot Plate Holder - The Teapot Stand

From 48 postcards

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121. Woven Mat

From folded strips (in this case cut from postcards)

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Right Triangular Paper

122. Sea Gull - The Seagull

(from a right angle isosceles triangle)

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123. Grasshopper - The Locust

(from a right angle isosceles triangle)

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Triangular Paper

124. Wild Goose - The Wild Goose

(from an equilateral triangle)

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125. Wild Duck

(from an equilateral triangle)

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126. Iris Blossom - The Iris

(from an equilateral triangle)

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127. Iris Blossom - The Cut Iris

(from an equilateral triangle)

Cuts are used to broaden the petals.

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128. Swallow (Cut) -

(from an equilateral triangle)

A cut is used to separate the two halves of the tail.

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129. Crayfish - The Cut Lobster

(from an equilateral triangle)

Cuts are used to separate the two sets of claws.

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130. Duck - The Standing Duck

(from an equilateral triangle)

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131. Goose - The Standing Goose

(from an equilateral triangle)

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Compound Figures - Triangular Paper

132. Eagle - Honda's Compound Eagle

(from two equilateral triangles)

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133. Dragon - Honda's Compound Dragon

(from two equilateral triangles)

Cuts are used to create the detail of the head.

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Rhombic Paper

134. Macaw - The Parrot

(from a 60 / 120 degree rhombus)

A cut is used to create the crest.

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135. Bat - The Cut Bat

(from a 60 / 120 degree rhombus)

Cuts are used to create the ears.

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136. Quacking Duck

(from a 60 / 120 degree rhombus)

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137. Demon Mask (Cut)

(from a 60 / 120 degree rhombus)

A cut is used to separate the fangs.

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Compound Figures - Rhombic Paper

138. Giraffe - Honda's Compound Giraffe

(from two 60 / 120 degree rhombuses)

Cuts are used to separate the front and back legs and to create the horns.

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139. See-no-evil, Hear-no-evil, Speak-no-evil - Honda's Compound Threee Monkeys

(each from two 60 / 120 degree rhombuses).

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140. Alligator - Honda's Compound Crocodile

(from two 60 / 120 degree rhombuses)

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141. Rhombus Constructions

Attributed to Akira Yoshizawa.

Modules from rhombuses which will make 3, 4 and 5 sided pyramids with open bases.

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Other Polygonal Paper

142. Chinese Bellflower

(from a pentagon)

Attributed to Ryutaro Tsuchida.

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143. Azalea Blossom

(from a pentagon)

Attributed to Ryutaro Tsuchida.

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144. Six-sided Ornament

(from a hexagon)

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145. Turtle - Honda's Turtle

(from a hexagon)

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146. Dragonfly - Honda's Dragonfly

(from a hexagon)

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148. Octagonal Ornament

(from an octagon)

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Specially Shaped Paper

149. Double Crane (Cut) - Connected Cranes

(from two partially separated squares)

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150. Crab (Cut)

(from two partially separated squares with additional cuts to separate the legs)

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151. Crab (Cut)

(A version of) the Kan-no-mado Crab (from four partially separated squares)

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152. The Kan-no-mado Dragonfly

(from a partially slit octagon)

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153. Gibbon (Cut)

(aka the Kan-no-mado Monkey) (from a partially slit irregular octagon)

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154. Octopus

(from the Kan-no-mado) (from a slit eight pointed star)

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Costume Folds

155. Dairibina - The Prince

(from four partially separated squares)

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156. Dairibina - The Princess

(from four partially separated squares)

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156. Dancer

(Banzai-raku - from a heavily slit rectangle)

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157 Old Man and Old Woman

The Old Man (from a heavily slit rectangle)

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The Old Woman (from a heavily slit rectangle)

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The Ideal Modern Origami

Michio Uchiyama's Crab (Cut) (from a slit square with additional cuts to create the shape of the head / eyes)

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Independent Creativity

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Locust - The Fold-In Cicada

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Baby Chick

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Selected Pages

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