Traditional Models' Gallery

Traditional models are in the public domain and are not connected to a specific origami model designer. Here, we have origami models that may are available for folding, teaching, sales and other uses.

The late David Lister did extensive research regarding the history and evolution of origami. Articles are cited with the content gathered from David Lister’s “Lister List” found on the British Origami Society’s website and compiled by Julia Bloom in 2019.

Flapping Bird: Light blue 6 inch square, Hana Fubuki washi. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded August 9, 2020. Likely between 1860’s-1870’s. Likely western origin. Source article: Origins of the Flapping Bird, The Mobil Pegasus Similar design to a Crane, but the wings are folded at an angle instead of straight down. Pulling the tail down causes the wings to flap, magicians would use the bird in tricks, by bringing a seemingly ordinary piece of paper on stage, making a few folds, then having it flap to the delight of the audience. It was introduced in the West around the same time as the Jumping Frog, another action model. A version of this model was used as a promotional item by Mobil Oil Company, as a red sheet with instructions that kids could fold up into the “Mobil Pegasus.”

Crane: Pink 6 inch square. Hana Fubuki washi. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded on August 9, 2020. Model is Japanese. Article Source: 1000 Cranes, Folding Cranes, Sacred Cranes, Ten Thousand Cranes. Highlights: The classic crane shape that is well known around the world, with the wings folded all the way down. Originally used as a symbol of long life and good fortune, the crane became both a prayer for peace and a way to make wishes after Hiroshima, when Sadako tried to fold 1000 cranes to recover from radiation sickness. She died before she completed the task, which was finished by her friends. The Crane is Japanese folklore is one of two long lived symbols, along with the Tortoise, with the former said to live for a thousand years and the latter for ten thousand years. Both are often pictured against the Horaizan, a mountain that is a mythical land of eternal youth and happiness. It can be “inflated” by blowing into it or pulling the wings to get the right shape.

Swan Basket (Traditional technique) - Golden Venture technique (3D origami). Several 100's of sheets, 1:2 ration. Gifted by unknown folder. Gifted in 2019.

Sunflower (Traditional technique) - Golden Venture technique (3D origami), 75 sheets of 3 by 6 inch green, yellow and black kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded in 2017-2018.

Chinese Junk (Gondola): Turquoise and patterned 6 inch kami square. Folder: British man Folded likely June 2019. Source article: Frog Base, History of Paperfolding-German, Is the Junk Chinese? A talk by Kunihiko Kasahara. Likely Asian. An odd folded model in the shape of a ship with two flat ends, made by a “Pull-out” technique where pulling out a flat piece of paper in the final step leads to a three-dimensional final model. There are some variations to it, including “The Ship of the King and Queen” from Spain in a barge shape, and the “Treasure Ship” from Japan with a pointed bow. An intermediate fold in the process is a box-live (?) shape called “The Buckle” or “The Bar and Bolt.”

Swan: Peach-White 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Sailboat: Magenta-White 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded August 9, 2020.

House: Brown-White 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Piano: Black-White 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

2 Waterbombs: 1 blue kami square each. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman Folded August 9, 2020 Article: Waterbombs, Really Old Origami A rounded circle that is inflated by blowing into it. It could have originated in either the East, the West, or both simultaneously. It can be used to hold flies, as a water balloon, or a smoke container, and can be pinched to form a cube. The Fly Trap in particular is referenced in the John Webster play “The Duchess of Malfi.” It has many different variations, including the Insect Cage, Artificial Satellite, and Golden Snitch. The waterbomb base is named after it.

2 Lanterns: 2 inch square purple and 2 inch square yellow kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Pig: Pink 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Oblong Box: Red-White 3 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Kabuto: Gray-White 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Fox: Orange-Tan 3 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Cup: Blue 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020. Source article: A Talk by Kunihiko Kasahara. A simple model, which Lillian Oppenhiemer’s grandson Tom folded for a school project. He folded 50 cups to share with all his friends which inspired Lillian to focus on sharing Origami in the future work of the Origami Center.

Carp: Green-White 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Candy BoxL Pink-White 3 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Fancy Box: Pink-White 3 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

Butterfly: Magenta 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.

5-Pointed Star: Turquoise 2 inch square kami. Folder: Lisa B. Corfman. Folded: August 9, 2020.