Pop-Up Origamic Architecture

Message from the Author: "After trying for some time to design original greeting cards, I finally designed some unique pop-up cards by folding and cutting paper. These cards were so popular among my friends and now I would like to introduce them to you in this lovely book. When you open one of these folded post-card sized constructions, there is wondrous movement and a structure arises which is so interesting and fascinating that it captures your attention. The dreamy scene created by light and shadow invites you to a fantasy world. Please try to make these unique cards by yourself by reproducing and developing shapes and spaces within folded paper twice as big as a post card. There are limitless possibilities in this art. Should you fail, do not give up. Remember that failure is the best teacher. There are three kinds of construction in this book. Two of them are made with a single sheet of paper. Of these two forms, one is not meant to be opened at all and the other is to be opened to an angle of 90 degrees. These two forms are fairly simple and easy to make. Cards which are to be opened to an angle of 180 degrees are a little more difficult but they are well worth trying. To make this kind of card, cut and assemble the parts into the required form, and attach it onto the foundation paper with thread. When these cards are opened, a three-dimensional form emerges before your eyes. The unfolding process is unexpected and even if you try to draw a diagram or think about it, you may find it difficult to understand the mechanism. Some cards do not need to be unfolded. they look three-dimensional without opening. Imagination helps achieve this effect. I do hope that boys and girls will foster their creativity through making these cards and that they will become fine architects in the future. I am thinking of spending my leisure after retirement making and playing with these cards." - Masahiro Chatani