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Since about the first century AD, the time when it is believed that paper was first invented in China, people have been folding paper into various shapes. The Chinese developed some simple forms, some of which survive down to this day. When the secret of paper was carried to Japan in the sixth century AD by Buddhist monks, it was quickly integrated into their culture. Paper was used in architecture and in the many rituals …

…paper that is unparalleled for folding. Also, a technique known as wet folding, where a heavily sized paper is folded while wet, allows the folder to sculpt his model into soft curves and 3D forms. Origami has become a very popular pastime, not only in Japan, which has special shows on how to make certain models, but also in the western world, as forms of therapy and relaxation for stressed people and also mental patients.