Origami is the Japanese word for paper (1) folding . ORI means to fold and GAMI means paper. (2) Together , they form the word, ‘origami’. It’s an art form that has been handed down from parents to child (3) through many generations. Origami involves the creation of paper forms usually entirely (4) by folding. Animals, birds, fish, geometric shapes, puppets, toys and masks are among the (5) models that even very young children can learn to make in just one sitting.

In Japan, at one time origami was (6) taught in schools but today, children are generally taught origami at home. Holidays are celebrated with colorful (7) origami decorations made by the family. On children’s day (formerly boy’s day), children make colorful carp: a fish that swims (8) upstream, against the current. This symbolizes strength.