Model: Kusudama Daphne Odora
Autor: Mio Tsugawa

Model: Happy Good Luck Bat
Autor: Michael LaFosse






21.47

What is a Kusudama?

Diposting oleh Agus Sudrajat |




Although kusudama is an ancient form of art, it is not well known around the world as much as it is in Asia. In effort to show those that are curious, I will share a little bit of history about one of the hobbies I enjoy the most: origami kusudamas.







From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia





The Japanese kusudama (薬玉; lit. medicine ball) is a paper model that is usually (although not always) created by sewing multiple identical pyramidal units (usually stylized flowers folded from square paper) together through their points to form a spherical shape. Alternately the individual components may be glued together. (e.g. the kusudama in the lower photo is entirely glued, not threaded together) Occasionally, a tassel is attached to the bottom for decoration.



Kusudama originate from ancient Japanese culture, where they were used for incense and potpourri; possibly originally being actual bunches of flowers or herbs. The word itself is a combination of two Japanese words kusuri, Medicine, and tama, Ball. They are now typically used as decorations, or as gifts.
The kusudama is important in origami particularly as a precursor to the modular origami genre. It is often confused with modular origami, but is not such because the units are strung or pasted together, instead of folded together as most modular construction are made.




It is, however, still considered origami, although origami purists frown upon using its characteristic technique of threading or gluing the units together, while others recognize that early traditional Japanese origami often used both cutting (see thousand origami cranes or senbazuru) and pasting, and respect kusudama as an ingenious traditional paper folding craft in the origami family.
Modern origami masters such as Tomoko Fuse have created new kusudama designs that are entirely assembled without cutting, glue or thread except as a hanger.


  
Kusudama (medicine ball) is believed to have originated in the Heaian Period (794 - 1192). At first fragrant woods and herbs were placed in a small cloth bag, which was decorated with blossoms of sobu or iris and other flowers. Long silk threads of five different colours were attached to it. This was hung in the house on May 5 to dispel evil spirits and disease.


The Emperor invited nobles and officials to Butokuden Palace on this day and gave to each a kusudma and drinks of sake. It was a ceremony to insure the happiness and good health of all. This ancient custom of giving kusudama continued until the beginning of the 17th century. It was discontinued by the Emperor Gomizuo (1611-29). "Since that time, kusudama has lost all its connection with Court functions. It came to be used as an ornament in the households of the common people, or as a plaything for children. Thus, the original meaning of kusudama to ward off evil and sickness with the fragrant medicines and woods became forgotten."











The Beauty and the Colors of the Kusudama World




Tomoko Fuse (布施 知子 Fuse Tomoko born 1951) is a Japanese origami writer and artist who has written many books on the subject of modular origami and is by many considered to be the master of unit origami and one of the pre-eminent living Japanese Origami Masters.



She has designed many modular boxes and containers, kusudama, paper toys, masks, and modular polyhedron and other geometric objects, and is one of the most prolific origami authors in the world, with many publications in Japanese, Korean and English. She was born in Niigata and now lives with her husband Taro, a respected woodblock printmaker and etcher, in a hillside village in rural Nagano prefecture, Japan.



















Fuse first learned origami while in hospital as a child. When she was 19 years old, she studied for 2½ years with origami master Toyoaki Kawai. She started publishing origami books in 1981, and has since published more than 60 books (plus overseas editions) as of September 2005.
Tomoko Fuse revolutionized the art of origami. her pure talent led her to success in 1997 when she was awarded an award for artist of the year for her classic model, The Modular Star.
Enjoy some of her creations.......





 













02.39

Carambola Kusudama

Diposting oleh Agus Sudrajat |



INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FLOWER



INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE KUSUDAMA


02.29

CARAMBOLA FLOWER BY CARMEN SPRUNG

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Designed By Carmen Sprung
Folded by Sara Adams


This is s a beautiful flower used to make a carambola kusudama. Hope you enjoy this project. Do your best.......






INSTRUCTIONS


02.19

Heart Ring By Francis Ow

Diposting oleh Agus Sudrajat |



INSTRUCTIONS


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