Origami involves folding a piece of paper which may seem relatively easy but in actual fact it can become quite complicated and complex. Not everyone is prepared for the challenges associated with advanced origami projects. However if the interest is there, an individual can learn how to do advanced origami. He called the process "wet folding". With his geometric skills, great imagination and precision he created magnificent dragons, elephants and birds using a single sheet of paper. His directions for folding have been cited in a great number of origami primers. Yoshizawa received world recognition in the 1950's and later was the cultural ambassador for Japan. Mathematicians throughout time have developed ways to use geometry to define origami; they have designed highly sophisticated models using fundamental theorems. They have studied and found amazing similarities between tessellations and origami (tessellations is the name for a figure comprised of a shape that is repeated over and over again with no gaps or overlap when fitted to a flat surface). Origami for Children As far back as the mid 1800's it was discovered that origami was a delightful project for young children. Besides teaching eye hand coordination and developing concentration the child had a toy they had made themselves when they were finished. With practice a child of any age can even create a number of the more advanced figures. Basic Origami Folds Terms & Techniques As with any other craft origami has its own terms and techniques. Here are some basic horizontal and vertical folds. It is very important to keep all your folds crisp and clean. The Book - fold a piece of paper (rectangular or square) down the middle vertically making certain the opposite edges line up one on top of the other. There are very simple forms of origami such as the paper airplane which requires basic folds and instruction. Although the paper airplane is quite easy to make, for years it has provided hours of entertainment for young children. For the millions of individuals who have quickly made a paper airplane, perhaps they weren't aware they were using the art of origami.