Origami Page:
The Haori

Mary Ellen Palmeri

Welcome to our monthly "Origami Page". Origami is folding paper and ending up with delightful figures and models, such as flowers, boxes and animals. This feature will showcase a different origami model in each monthly issue, with diagrams and photos to help readers learn how to fold them. Most models use one square of paper, some use a rectangle, and others use more than one piece of paper.

By Mary Ellen Palmeri

Click for printable file.

The Haori (羽織) is a traditional Japanese hip- or thigh-length kimono-style jacket, worn over a basic Japanese robe for both men and women. The traditional way to wear a haori is to leave it open as a jacket as opposed to the more commonly known kimono, which is held closed with a sash (an 'obi').

Today haori are most often worn as a decorative jacket for many clothing combinations. They are generally made with vibrant colors and intricate patterns.

My origami haori is based on a traditional origami kimono fold, but kimonos are full-length garments and this model is short due to the proportion of dollar bills, so I decided to make a haori instead. I developed the folds for this model using a single dollar bill so when using other bills or colored papers, first fold a dollar bill to use as a template for different models.

This attractive origami model can be used as a money tip, or as part of a special greeting card gift. Using colorful papers is a good way to imitate the beautiful Japanese fabrics typically used for this piece of clothing.

Enjoy!

Origami originated in ancient Asian cultures and has been adapted by contemporary artists worldwide to reflect their own cultures. Local artist Mary Ellen Palmeri has incorporated paper folding into many of her mixed media art paintings, and teaches origami classes locally and nationally. Some of her work can be seen in a Tucson Happenings feature here: Artist_Profile

All of her Paper Dream Paintings can be seen in her Etsy shop where custom matted art prints of her original work can be purchased. Go to: www.etsy.com/shop/LyricFineArts

Ms. Palmeri's original origami models have been published in books and magazines, she has been featured on broadcast media, and her mixed-media fine art works often include various original origami models. Origami LAFF (Lyric Arts Folding Fest) is a Tucson based club founded by Ms. Palmeri to provide a venue for sharing this art. The group meets monthly at a local library; for more details please contact the artist at info@lyric-arts.com