In ancient Japan, folding paper to form something
is used for political occasions or religious ceremony to decorate
things. And to offer a gift, wrapping was the way to show the
respect and politeness.
So that kind of folding paper was called 'origata' (meaning the manner of
folding) and it was considered as a manner or protocol .
In Muromachi-era, in the period of Shogun Yoshimitsu, Ashikaga's
rule in Japan, Japanese old manner was very popular and highly
treated as a communication-tool between people in exclusive high
society. They had distinguishing families to pass it down in
sealed way, like Ise-family, or Ogasawara-family.
There is a book'Tutumino ki'(meaning 'A Book of Wrapping'), written
by Teijyo Ise in Mid Edo-era. He studied about traditional ceremonies
and manners. It was an important and classic source about manners.
In this book you can find the paper decoration for the Sake- set (Choshi) for the wedding. They were called Ocho & Mecho (a couple of butterflies). The famous noshi and decorative list of the gift were already found in this book. Those are still commonly used even in modern Japan for the special days of engagement, wedding, and promotion etc.
Traditional Japanese paper 'Washi' was produced
a lot in the middle Edo-era. Folding paper became very popular
then, and the books of 'origata' were published. The book of
the play- origami was published as well.
Origata was one of the school subjects for the girls' school
from 19th century to 20th century. This decorative folding is
still popular in modern Japan.
Noshi is one example.
