Orikaze is a paper fan developed by KUMAnoTE in collaboration with Professor Jun Mitani that replaces the internal ribs found in conventional fans with a folded structural system. Created from a single sheet of paper, the design relies on a series of mountain and valley folds to generate rigidity and maintain its shape.
The geometric pattern allows the paper to function as a self-supporting object without the bamboo, plastic, or wooden frameworks typically used in Japanese fan construction. The project draws on Mitani's research into computational origami and structural folding methods.
The collection is offered in three variations named SORA, KAZE, and TSUCHI. Each version uses the same folded construction while presenting a different visual expression. Additional editions were created through collaborations with graphic designer COYA and Japanese fashion brand SNEEUW, introducing custom surface graphics while retaining the original structure.
Image Credit: KUMAnoTE, Jun Mitani
What's Driving This Trend
- Ribless Paper Engineering
- Self-supporting fold patterns point to lighter consumer goods that reduce parts, assembly complexity, and reliance on plastic or wood frames.
- Computational Origami Design
- Algorithmic folding systems create opportunities for flat materials to become rigid, sculptural, and functional across compact product formats.
- Single-material Craft Objects
- One-sheet construction highlights a path toward recyclable accessories with simplified production, minimal components, and distinctive structural aesthetics.
Who This Affects Most
- Fashion Accessories
- Fold-based silhouettes introduce fresh possibilities for wearable and handheld goods that combine textile-like graphics with engineered paper structures.
- Home Goods
- Decorative functional objects can gain new differentiation through collapsible geometries, lightweight materials, and reduced hardware requirements.
- Sustainable Packaging
- Origami-informed paper systems suggest alternatives to inserts, frames, and supports by using geometry to create strength from recyclable substrates.
