Main Index Page

Created 12/2/2025. Last updated 19/3/2026.

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This page is being used to collect information about the history of folded paper parrots, parakeets, macaws etc Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

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1889

'La Nature' of 28th September 1889 contained an article headed 'Recreation Scientifiques' and subheaded 'La Grenouille Japonaise en Papier' (The Japanese Paper Frog) which mentions the Paris Exposition of 1889 and states (here in translation) 'We also noticed in the exhibition other designs among which were the crab from red paper, the junk and the hat of Daimios (demon), the parrot etc.,' Unfortunately, lacking an illustration, there is no way of knowing which design of parrot is being referred to here.

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1941

A design for 'El Loro', developed from a bird base, appeared in 'Papiro-Zoo: Manual practico de cocotologia o papirologia' by Giordano Lareo, which was published by Larco in Buenos Aires in 1941. This design has two feet.

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1951

A cut 'Parakeet' appears in 'Origami to Kirinuki' by Saburo Ueda, which was published by Kokkado in Tokyo, most probably in 1951. Cuts have been used to create the wingtips and tail.

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The Parrot - 1960 onwards

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1960

Designs, for a 'Parrot' and a 'Macaw' appear in 'Happy Origami: Whale Book' by Tatsuo Miyawaki, which was published by Biken-Sha in 1960.

Parrot

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The same design appears as 'Parrot' in 'Origami Playtime' by Tatsuo Miyawaki, which was published by Japan Publications Trading Co in Tokyo, New York and San Francisco in July 1967.

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Macaw (cut)

The crest is made from an additional piece of paper.

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The same design appears as 'Macaw' in 'Pop-Up Origami: Johnny Book' by Tatsuo Miyawaki, which was published by Biken-Sha in Japan in 1962.

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The same design appears as 'Parrakeet' in 'Origami Playtime' by Tatsuo Miyawaki, which was published by Japan Publications Trading Co in Tokyo, New York and San Francisco in July 1967.

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1962

An accessorised design for a 'Parrot' appears in 'Pop-Up Origami: Johnny Book' by Tatsuo Miyawaki, which was published by Biken-Sha in Japan in 1962.

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The same design, minus the accessories, appears in 'Jolly Origami: Aquarium Book' by Tatsuo Miyawaki, which was published by Biken-Sha in Matsuyama, Japan in 1968.

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1970

Another design for a 'Parrot' appears in 'Pop-Up Origami: Pony Book' by Tatsuo Miyawaki, which was published by Biken-Sha in Matsuyama Japan in 1970.

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