the beginnings of origami are not clear. paperfolding started in china in the 1st or 2nd century. it finally came to japan in the 6th century. instead of making models that looked exactly like things, the first origami models only looked similar to things. people often folded models and gave them to other people for good luck. for example, shinto nobles celebrated weddings with sake in glasses decorated with origami butterflies, which gave good luck to the bride and groom.