Customer Reviews

The World of Origami

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

 

 

I own 35 origami books, from airplanes to zebras. Plain and simple for first timers to old timers. The only book that would beat it, would be the original book with a hardback cover printed in 1965. It was unabridged from the Japanese version with additional 35 pages using triangle and diamond(rumbus) shaped paper.

Other origami instructions make rough geometric shapes that you really need to use your imagination on to see animals, etc. Honda's instructions make detailed, fun, and realistic looking creatures and objects. Best origami book I have ever used!!

In the 1970s, my grandfather used to send origami books home from Japan. The prize was the big hardcover by Isao Honda.

The oversize paperback is a significantly abridged version -- and that's the only thing wrong with it.

Since then, I've had dozens of books on origami & related arts. None but Honda's, though, gives me the feeling of having a one-on-one experience with a master. There's only one thing I can make from memory that didn't come from that book.

So, the paperback isn't as good as the original, but it's still one of the best ever produced. If you love the art, you need this on your shelf.

There is no doubt that this is one of the great classics in the world of origami. But, just as Shakespear and Dickens are great documentations of the Elizabethan and Victorian Ages, Honda's book is a documentation of the "state of the art" in the early 60s. The majority of the animal folds are compound (two sheets of paper are joined after folding; usually head and tail), and extensive "sculpting" is required to form pleasing results. This is NOT the book for people looking for the technical wizzardry of Montroll, Lang, Brill, et al. I place great value on it as a historical document, but it is certainly NOT the first of my 40 or so origami books that I turn to if looking for a model to fold. I wish Japan Publications would re-release the unabridged edition - even in soft cover.

This was the first origami book I received from my parents. I was about 10 years old at the time, and I spent most of the following year reproducing the various models contained therein. It was probably the best introduction I had to origami.

That said, however, I would recommend this book solely for beginners. Many (if not most) of the more complex models are constructed from two different "bases" and glued together creating the final product. Others (such as the shrimp) entail cutting various pieces of the paper to illicit the final model.

For purists (such as myself), this is unacceptable for any intermediate (or above) origami. Separate pieces of paper for different _aspects_ of a model (e.g. a horse and a rider) are acceptable, in my opinion. This book, however, goes one step further in using separate pieces of paper for a single, atomic model.

Of the many Oriental art forms that have entered Western culture, few is more accessible and enjoyable as origami. Known primarily thru the paper crane, this Japanese art form is actually quite complex and capable of producing a wide variety of objects from paper. This book by Isao Honda showcases many of these objects such as birds, insects, mammals, vehicles, etc... along with the instructions on how to make them.

This book is quite long for an origami book, and is probably more oriented towards teenagers and adults. Many of the projects shown are quite involved, and may be beyond the abilities and/or patience of little kids. But for someone who already has practice in origami, this book is wonderful, and I highly recommend it.

As stated in the title, this book is wonderful for beginners. The use of compound folding is easy enough, but doesn't really stick true to the fundamentals of traditional origami, as I've heard it. Don't let yourself get held down by folding only compound animals. Check out other books as well... I personally loved this book! heh.

First of all, I never received this book as requested and paid for. This has been a poor service; and I would like a refund! The least your service could do is provide a new copy of the book via Fed-Ex/next day air. This has been, totally, irresponsible and I would like to be reimbursed for this!