Freestanding Japanese figures are made of folded paper. Notice the geisha with a handmaiden and two servants. These figures illustrate historically the distinct paper folding traditions of the Japanese. In Japan the earliest reference to a paper model is in a short poem by Iharu Saikaku in 1680, which mentions a traditional butterfly design used during Shinto weddings.

In Japan, the crane, (tsuru) is a national treasure. It is a symbol of longevity and good luck. It was thought to have a lifespan of a thousand years. Tsuru are also monogamous, often used in wedding décor.