Toshikazu Kawasaki, a Japanese paperfolder and origami theorist, died on March 3, 2026.
He was known for geometrically innovative models, especially his series of fourfold symmetry “roses,” which used a twisting maneuver to make the petals appear to curl out from the center of the flower. Kawasaki also taught mathematics at Sasebo Technical Junior College.
He was born in Kurume, Fukuoka, on November 26, 1955, and was the first to develop iso-area folding, a technique that produces mirror-symmetrical crease patterns and finished geometric forms.
Toshikazu Kawasaki (川崎敏和, Kawasaki Toshikazu; November 26, 1955 – March 4, 2026) was a Japanese paperfolder and origami theorist who was known for his geometrically innovative models. He was particularly famous for his series of fourfold symmetry “roses”, all based on a twisting maneuver that allows the petals to seem to curl out from the center of the flower. Kawasaki also taught mathematics at Sasebo Technical Junior College.