Art of oRUGami for Cats with Professor Poppy:

Orugami (pronounced o-RUG-a-me) is the Catland art of rugfolding. "Oru" is the Catland word for folding and "gami" is the Catland word for rug. That is how orugami got its name. Some think orugami started in Japan. It began in China in the first or second century and then spread to Japan sometime during the sixth century.

At first, there were very few rugs available so only the rich could afford to do rug folding. Those without means, small rugs. The Japanese found useful purposes for their orugami. For example, the Samurai Cat (sa-MURE-ay) would exchange gifts with a form known as a noshi (NO-shee). This was a rug folded with a strip of dried fish or meat. It was considered a good luck token and a great snack if need be.

As easier rug making methods were developed, rugs became less expensive. Orugami became a popular art for everyone, no matter if they were rich or poor. However, the Japanese cats have always been very careful not to waste anything. They have always saved even the tiniest scraps of rugs and used them for folding orugami models.

For centuries there were no written directions for folding orugami models. The directions were taught to each generation and then handed down to the next. Here at Catland we strive to pass to the next generation of cats, the intricate shades of rug folding. Catland maintains a very large gallery of famous Orugami creations created by our cats. We hope you take the time to browse our collection.

Left: Krickit has been studying oRUGami since she was a young kitten. At first it was difficult because the rugs were heavy with a non-skid backing. But, with great perseverance she has become very adept in this art. Right: Krickit is almost finished with her first project. She is very proud of this fold because it is difficult to get the nice triangle with a well balanced double tipped tail.

Left: Well, it is finished. This is a multi-media fold. Small pieces of paper were added when the fold was completed. This seems to be Krickit's signature. We have seen it in many other of her completed pieces. This is titled "Double Tail Kite". Right: It looks like this is going to be a half flip variation on the just completed project. This piece is a bit lighter in it's fold usage.

Left: This took Krickit the better part on the day to complete. But what a statement! A double open flip with a triangle tail. WOW! This is titled "Clouds" Right: The next piece was hailed as a break through in mixed media rug folding. Kricket is really into this folding session.

Left: It's complete in short order...she is really becoming proficient at oRUGami. Her finished pieces have been selling well. As an artist, she is in great demand. Right: This is Krickit's final piece. She is attempting to do a double, standing, tunnel relief. Many cats have tried to do this fold, but to no avail.

Left: Here it is...finished. It is awesome! It is standing free and under it's own weight. Just breathtaking! This piece has been titled "Over the Hills We Go".