Main Index Page

Last updated 29/1/2025

x

This page is being used to collect information about the history of the Simple Swan design that is developed from the preliminary folds for the Paper Dart. There are several variations of the design, all of which are recorded on this page. 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.

This design first occurs in the books of Isao Honda and is possibly his original design.

**********

In Japan (and in books by Japanese authors)

1944

As far as I know a version of this design first appears in 'Origami Shuko' by Isao Honda, which was published in 1944.

**********

Variations of the same design also appear:

1956

In 'Paper Magic' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1956.

**********

1957

As 'A Swan' in 'Origami: Japanese Paper Folding', which was published in English by Toto Shuppan Company Ltd in Tokyo in 1957.

**********

In 'Origami: Book One' by Florence Sakade, which was published by the Charles E Tuttle Company in Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo in 1957.

**********

1958

As 'Swan' in 'Origami: Japanese Paper Folding: Monkey Book' (photograph only), which was published in English by Toto Shuppan Co Ltd in 1958.

**********

1959

As 'Swan' in 'How to Make Origami' by Isao Honda, which was published by Toto Shuppan Co. Ltd in Japan. by McDowell Obolensky of New York in the USA and by Museum Press Ltd of London in England, in 1959.

**********

As 'A Swan' in 'Origami: Japanese Paper Folding - Sakura Book' by Isao Honda, which was published in English by The Asahi Origami Club in 1959.

**********

As 'A Swan' in 'Origami: Japanese Paperfolding: Fuji Book' by Isao Honda, which was published in English by The Asahi Origami Club in 1959. Photograph only.

**********

1960

As 'A Swan' in 'All About Origami' by Isao Honda, which was published by Toto Bunka Company, Limited in Tokyo in 1960.

**********

In 'Origami: The Oriental Art of Paper Folding' by Harry C Helfman, which was published by Platt and Munk Co Inc in New York in 1960.

**********

1961

As 'Swans 1 and 2' in 'Origami Zoo: Bird Book' by Isao Honda was published by Toto Shuppan Co. Ltd in 1961.

**********

In an article in 'The Mount Airy News' of 25th November 1961.

**********

In 'Wir Falten' by Joachim Schönherr and Gerta Schumann, which was published by Rudolf Arnold Verlag in Leipzig in 1961.

**********

1962

As 'A Swan' in 'Living Origami Book 2' by Isao Honda, which was published by Charles E. Tuttle Co. Inc in Rutland Vermont in 1962.

**********

1964

In 'Secrets of Origami', by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne Book Company in London in 1964. This book contains a method for folding this Swan attributed to Florence Temko.

**********

1965

As both 'Cormorant' and 'Swan' in 'The World of Origami' by Isao Honda, which was published by Japan Publications Trading Company in the USA in 1965.

**********

1966

In an article in Boy's Life, March 1966 by Fred Schnegg.

**********

1967

As 'Two Swans' in 'Origami Folding Fun: Kangaroo Book' by Isao Honda, which was published by Japan Publications Inc in Tokyo in 1967.

**********

1970

As 'Swans part 1 and 2' in 'Origami Nippon' by Isao Honda, which is a paperback book published by Honda Origami Studio in Tokyo in 1970.

**********

In Europe and the Americas

1968

In 'Your Book of Paperfolding' by Vanessa and Eric de Maré, which was published by Faber and Faber in London in 1968, where it is attributed to Florence Temko, USA. This attribution seems to be a misunderstanding of information in Harbin's 'Secrets of Origami' which attributed a way of folding this design (rather than the design itself) to Florence Temko. Note also that Vanessa Mare's diagrams do not explain the folding method attributed to Florence Temko in Harbin's book.

**********