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Last updated 5/12/2024

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1845

As far as I know this design first appears in the Kan No Mado, which is usually dated to 1845.

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Diagrams for / illustrations of crabs folded from slit-square bases, which are essentially similar, although they differ in detail, and mentions of crab designs which are almost certainly the Kan No Mado Crab, appear:

1893

In volume 5 issue 2 of 'Shokokumin' children's magazine, which was published in 1893.

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1889

In issue 852 of 'La Nature' of 28th September 1889. This issue contained an article headed 'Recreation scientifiques' and subheaded 'La grenouille japonaise en papier'. Towards the end the article says, roughly translated, 'We also noticed in the exhibition other designs among which were the crab from red paper ...'. While there is no specific evidence that this refers to the Kan No Mado Crab, it seems likely that this is the case.

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1896

In Part 2 of 'The Republic of Childhood', titled 'Froebel's Occupations', by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith, which was published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, of Boston and New York in 1896. This book contains reference to 'an absolutely lifelike crab' among specimens of work from the Empress's kindergarten in Tokyo. While there is no specific evidence that this refers to the Kan No Mado Crab, it seems likely that this is the case.

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1931

In 'Origami (Part 1)' by Isao Honda, which was published in 1931.

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1935

In 'Origami Moyo, Book One', by Kawarazaki Kodo, which was published by Unsodo in Japan in 1935. Illustration only.

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1944

In 'Origami Shuko' by Isao Honda, which was published in 1944.

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1960

In 'All About Origami' by Isao Honda, which was published by Toto Bunka Company, Limited in Tokyo in 1960. This version of the design uses matchsticks for eyes.

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1969

In 'Nihon no kokoro dento origami' by Isao Honda, which was published by Japan Publications in Tokyo in 1969.

Of this design Honda says, roughly translated: 'This piece was created by the author of the 'Senbazuru Orikata' and therefore it can be interpreted as having been devised by chance from the connected shape of four folded cranes made from a single square piece of paper. However, as it was passed down through the Edo and Meiji periods, gradual improvements were made during that time and it likely evolved into the excellent form seen here'.

The author does not give any evidence for his belief that it was created by the author of the 'Senbazuru Orikata'.

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