A young boy indulges in the ancient art of Japanese paper-folding

It’s really fun as I can learn new designs. Although it can be challenging to create some designs, I always strive to master new patterns , said Noriman Mohd Noh, 10. Photos: Glenn Guan/The Star

Going wild with origami

Given a choice between the latest tech gadgets and books, it’s a no-brainer as to what most kids would choose. For 10-year-old Noriman Mohd Noh, there’s nothing more fascinating than flipping through art and crafts books, especially those on origami, the Japanese art of paper-folding.

“Origami is my ‘bestest’ hobby ever. I love the idea of transforming pieces of square paper into beautiful artwork – animals, models of transportation, flowers. Anyone can come up with different origami models with a few simple folds, twists and turns,” said Noriman during an interview in Subang Jaya, Selangor, recently.

In 2013, his parents’ friend, Masaru Yoneno, 59, from Fukushima, Japan, introduced the Year Four student of SK USJ 20 in Subang Jaya to the craft. Noriman’s first project was an origami bird (crane), a popular but not necessarily the easiest origami creation for beginners.

“There’s a Japanese legend that if you can create 1,000 origami cranes in a year, your wish will be granted. I was determined to learn how to make a crane origami. While some say it is difficult, I managed to get the hang of it quickly. From then, I developed a liking for origami, which means ori (fold) and gami (paper) in Japanese,” explained the young crafter.

“Origami is my ‘bestest’ hobby ever. I love the idea of transforming pieces of square paper into beautiful artwork ranging from animals, models of transportation to flowers, says Noriman Mohd Noh, 10.

Paper-folding joy

While he hasn’t quite completed a thousand cranes, Noriman has gone on to learn different types of origami patterns, which are crafted using pieces of square paper.

In the span of two years, Noriman has proudly mastered over 300 designs, ranging from wildlife (think fish, birds and reptiles), flowers (rose, daisy and camellia) and accessories (boxes, party decorations and card cases) to modes of transportation (cars, aeroplanes and boats).

In their dining room is Noriman’s “wall of fame” where many of his colourful origami pieces are displayed on a large white board. The intricate and creative origami models depict flowers, wildlife, mobile gadgets and clothes.

His handiwork was created using plain coloured paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, brown paper and chiyogami (Japanese-inspired floral prints).

Another origami collection, comprising origami boxes, cranes and babouche (Moroccan slippers), serve as showpieces on the coffee table in the hall. The vibrant hues and attractive patterns of Noriman’s creations certainly add more colour to the cosy living room.

What’s next? He hopes to learn Golden Venture folding (a type of 3D origami where triangular units are folded and then stacked on top of one another).

“It’s really fun as I can learn new designs. Although it can be challenging to create some designs, I always strive to master new patterns,” said Noriman, the youngest of four siblings and a fan of Origami In English author Makoto Yamaguchi.

Thanks to a myriad of step-by-step folding instructions, video demonstrations on YouTube and downloadable origami diagrams on the Internet, Noriman has improved his paper-folding skills by leaps and bounds.

How about kirigami, the art of folding a sheet of paper and cutting a pattern to reveal a silhouette?

“Paper-cutting doesn’t interest me. It requires skill and I still need to improve my scissor-cutting skills. One mistake and I might accidentally hurt my fingers. Plus, I don’t like to litter the house with tiny paper cuttings,” said Noriman, shrugging his shoulders.

During the interview, Noriman was in high spirits as he taught us – beginners with zero knowledge of origami – how to fold an origami duck. We watched as he nimbly folded the tips of coloured paper and securing the corners of paper with sheer precision.

“The duck is really one of the simplest origami works. If you’re not too sure, you can always follow an origami book or, better still, google origami videos on YouTube,” assured Noriman, who also likes to sketch and paint during his free time.

To encourage Noriman’s interest in origami, his mother Hanizah Mohd Hamzah, 55, purchased over 40 origami books and magazines locally and from overseas. And considering his condition as an asthma patient, Hanizah says, the Japanese artform keeps him happily occupied.

“It’s difficult for him to participate in sports as his asthma tends to flare up when he exercises. He loves origami and enjoys creating something new each day – be it during his journey to school, at restaurants or while waiting to see his doctor for his asthma check-ups,” said Hanizah, a senior executive at Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union in Kuala Lumpur.

Hanizah observes that origami has improved her son’s patience and attention to detail. This has helped him in terms of concentration in school and the ability to absorb information.

“He has developed very good eye-hand co-ordination, sequencing skills and attention. He is more patient with an increased level of maths reasoning,” said Hanizah, describing origami as a relatively cheap hobby.

Hanizah also allows her son to surf the Internet regularly. She says that with parents’ proper guidance, children can use the computer as a tool to develop their hobbies. Used wisely, technology and media can support learning and relationships.

“Children of the current generation are growing up in a rapidly changing digital age that is far different from that of their parents and grandparents. A variety of technologies are all around us – in our homes, offices and schools.

Enjoyable and engaging shared experiences that optimise the potential for children’s learning and development can support children’s relationships with adults and their peers.”

Besides watching origami YouTube videos, Noriman has also picked up other skills online, including learning how to play the piano and singing various countries’ national anthems.

“Thanks to the Internet, it’s really easy to learn how to master different instruments. I chose the piano as I love to play classical music pieces by Beethoven and Mozart. While I may not be able to read music notes, I can play by ear and that has helped to build my interest in music,” said Noriman, who also browses website youcanplayit.com to hone his music skills.

When he isn’t occupied learning how to play the piano or singing national anthems, we can imagine him teaching origami to his friends at school.

¦ Seeking hobbyists: Fly-catcher? Finger-wrestler? Air-trumpeteer? If you have a unique, out-of-this world, wacky hobby or passion that you’d like to share, please write in to our hobbies co-ordinator, Revathi Murugappan, at [e-mail]