Akira Yoshizawa, Japan's Greatest Origami Master

“Akira Yoshizawa was, and still is, the acknowledged master of modern origami. In this magnificent book, you can discover his ideas, philosophy and artistry, and you can fold his designs from his own meticulous instructions.” –David Brill, author of Brilliant Origami and vice president of the British Origami Society
“As I fold, Yoshizawa Sensei is telling me ‘Too much detail, let the paper express the essence.’ He is trying to let me hear the silence in my creations. I can only dream of succeeding like he did.” –Bernie Peyton, author of Eco-Origami and curator of Origami Universe
“Akira Yoshizawa is known as the ‘Grandfather of Origami’ and with good cause. His revolutionary work set the foundations for modern origami and his quest to capture the true essence of the subject has led to a far deeper understanding of what is truly important about origami. His models are not highly technical, but even expert folders find it almost impossible to capture the subject as well as the Master. His influence on origami cannot be overstated and he is revered by the creative giants of the paper-folding world who have followed in his footsteps.” –Nick Robinson, professional artist and author of many best-selling books on origami

Akira Yoshizawa

Born in 1911, Akira Yoshizawa is considered the father of modern origami. His first collection of models, published in the early 1950s, caused a sensation. In 1954, he founded the International Origami Centre in Tokyo. His original works were first exhibited in Amsterdam in 1955, an event that introduced him to the West.

During these formative years, Yoshizawa developed a system of notation using symbols and graphic signs to indicate various folds, a method that was later adopted by many origami artists and remains in use today. In the decades that followed, he continued to fold and teach origami, publish books on the art, and participate in international events. His global fame led him to be recognized as the most distinguished representative of origami and a pioneer of many modern origami techniques. Yoshizawa passed away in 2005, on his 94th birthday.

Kiyo Yoshizawa

Kiyo Yoshizawa married Akira Yoshizawa in 1956 and became his manager. After her husband’s death, she dedicated herself to preserving and disseminating his legacy worldwide. She directed and supported the International Origami Centre through her continuous efforts, passing down her husband’s original techniques, including wet-folding, one of his inventions. In recent years, she has organized various exhibitions abroad to enhance public understanding of Yoshizawa’s work.

Robert J. Lang

Born in 1961, Robert J. Lang has been deeply involved with origami since the age of six. He is now a leading origami artist with hundreds of original creations, 14 books, and numerous published articles. He regularly lectures and teaches origami at conventions and workshops globally. With a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Caltech, Lang has utilized his mathematical and engineering background to advance origami in both artistic and scientific applications. He draws significant inspiration from the work of Akira Yoshizawa, whose technical and artistic techniques played a major role in Lang’s own origami evolution.

Kazuo Hamada

Born in 1958 in Chiba prefecture, Kazuo Hamada graduated from the Tokyo School of Photography and began his freelance career in 1984. In 1990, he founded his own photography studio and now collaborates with Tokyo’s Pacific Press Photo Agency. He has received the 21st Japan’s Advertising Photographers’ Association Award (APA) and other significant accolades. His work has been featured in numerous photography exhibitions in Japan and internationally.

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