Customer Reviews

Genuine Origami: 43 Mathematically-Based Models, From Simple to Complex

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All of the excellent reviews of this book are correct, but I wanted to warn people that my copy of this book was misassembled. Pages 81-96 appeared twice and pages 97-112 were missing. If you buy the book, be sure to check all the pages before your return period expires! If you have a defective copy and the return period has expired, the US distributor (Oxford University Press) will exchange the book, but you will have to pay for shipping yourself.

Jun Maekawa has been one of the premier origami innovators of the last 30 years. His 'Devil', which graces the cover of this book, is one of the most famous and fantastic designs of what I like to call the Early Age of Super-complexity, (though by today's standards it is more aptly considered high-intermediate). I learned the model from 'Viva! Origami!" which is only available in Japanese. The new folding method in "Genuine Origami" includes the creatures ears which were missing in the original diagrams. I lovingly call this model "Nick, the Nicotine Demon" after I used it to help some of my dorm-mates quit smoking.
All of the models in this book are constructed from single sheets of paper, mostly square, with no cutting or glue. This book is a good choice for a second origami book because it combines clear diagrams with a progression from simple to complex models, ending with the 'Devil'. Note that most of the more complex models should be folded from 10"x10" paper. The most outlandish model in here is a deer folded from a tea-bag wrapper.

This book by the president of the Japanese Origami Academic Society JOAS is essential for all studying this ancient craft. It goes from easy to exquisitely complex. The diagrams are excellent. I was able to make the models when I obtained the first version in Japanese. I do now appreciate the explanations in english. The models are traditional from an uncut square.Some of the maneuvers are unique and quite satisfying. This is one of my favorite intermediate level origami books.

Not only does this book have a great array of models, it includes the theories and principles behind them, which is something that most books of this nature lack. Each model if focused around understanding a particular technique, ranging from the most fundamental to advanced. Another thing I like about this book is rather than just exposing the reader/folder to one type of origami, there are models for different types so you can learn about multi-piece, 3 dimensional, modular, tessellation, and even teabag folding. There is also a model for each of the Chinese zodiac which I found to be really cool. The diagrams are all very clear and easy to follow showing 2 toned paper (as most origami paper is), which tends to be a fundamental problem among origami books. I'd also like to point out that Genuine Origami caters to all levels. A beginner can pick this up to learn the basics and get started with some really neat models and still be learning from it much later. I would say I'm fairly intermediate and I still have quite a bit to absorb from this book, and I still enjoy the simple models as well.

Things we love about this book:
+ Very detailed instructions
+ Models grouped by complexity
+ Lots of side notes explaining various origami concepts and symbols
+ Variety

My 10 YO bought this book to improve his origami and we have been working through it together. He is becoming very skilled. The fundamental models really improved his techniques and taught him what all the symbols meant. Sometimes it took more than one try to get the hang of it, and we are still working out way though the book.

This is a great book for beginners and intermediates who want to expand their origami techniques and build some very cool models.

This book is not for the novice folder. The instructions are a little vague but the end results are amazing. I love this book.

I've been doing origami for many years, and I got to say, this is one of the hardest book to master. The diagrams are very easy to read and is quite colorful. This is a very good book for any origami enthusiasts.

Not much more to say. Diagrams are excellent, even for complete novices (if they have a little patience); and the fact that it builds a steady progression of techniques and folds makes it an excellent book to learn origami.

Beautiful book.

My favorite origure in this book is the Eastern dragon. The book goes from simple to complex. Recommended for the experienced origami folder, and for serious beginers.

I have been doing Origami for a while and I wanted some new models to try. The previews of this book looked great. The models have excellent annotations and descriptions, althought I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner. Some of the helpful descriptions include recommendations for which size paper to use for which models. Overall this was an excellent buy and I am having a great time working my way up to the devil on the cover!