Noshi - Classic Origami

Sadly the book that Nick recommends: Isao Honda: Noshi - Classic Origami has long been out of print.

There is another very useful book on this subject, but I'm afraid it's in Japanese and probably not readily available except by special order from Japan. This is a book by Yoshihde Momotani. It has the English subtitle: "Wrapping Origami" and there is a short preface in English. Like Honda's book, it includes both classic and new forms of wrappers or " tsutsumi", including the popular "noshi", short for "noshi tstutsumi".

This book was published by Seibundo Shinkosha in 1992, and the ISBN number is: 4 - 416 - 89320 - 5.

In 1974. Eiji Nakamura (of "Flying Origami" fame) issued "Atarashii Girei Origami", which I understand, means "New Formal Origami". It's not strictly classic, although his forms look classic, but it is interesting, becuse it uses A4 paper. I believe the publisher is Japan Publications. There is no ISBN, but the publisher's number is 0072 - 17401 - 6135.

For those who want to get deeply into the subject, there are two recent books in Japanese by Nakio Araki. One of them is "Nippon No Origami Shu" ("A Collection ofJapanese Folded Shapes"), published in 1995 by Tankou Sha. ISBN: 4 - 473 - 01389 - 8. I bought my copy at enormous cost in New York at the Kinkokunja Bookshop by the Rockefeller Center This is a serious collection of classic forms: the Rolls Royce on the subject, but probably beyond what most people would require.

The other book by Makio Araki is "Oru Tsutsu Mu", which I understand translates as "Folding and Wrapping", or possibly as "Making Shapes" but my note is followed by a question mark, so corrections will be welcome. I think the publisher is Tan Ko Sha, and the ISBN is 4 - 473 - 01134 - 8. The price is 3,300 Yen. The book is in at least it's third edition. It can be obtained from the Viereck Verlag of Origami Deutschland.

This is a somewhat more popular book with both classical tsutsumi and noshi and also modern wrappers, some in classic style and others in a modern freestyle not far from gift wrappers. It also illustrates the formal wrappers exchanged at Japanese betrothals.

It is a beauiful book, amply illustrated with colour photographs and, price apart, it should be in every paperfolder's library.

Isao Honda's "World of Origami" also refers to Noshi on page 23, but it's not really adequate. Other books also mention the subject, but I regret that my memory has dried up.

Anyway, I hope this may be of use.

David Lister