In ancient Japan, where paper was a precious commodity, origami served a ceremonial role. Samurai, who were members of Japan's warrior class, often decorated gifts with folded models called Noshi. In later years, when paper became available to all classes, the Samurai maintained a distinct form of the art called Ise, while the lower classes used the Ogasawara method of folding. It is appropriate, therefore, that origami artists have developed folded models of these warriors who contributed so much to the development and preservation of the art.
Step 1
Place the origami square in front of you, white side up.
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Step 2
Fold the paper in half horizontally. Crease along the fold, then open up the paper.
Step 3
Fold the paper in half vertically. Crease along the fold, then open up the paper. It should look exactly how it did when you started except for two crease lines dividing it into fourths.
Step 4
Fold each corner to the point where the crease lines intersect. The shape should now look like a diamond.
Step 5
Turn the paper over.
Step 6
Fold each corner of the diamond to the point where the crease lines intersect.
Step 7
Turn the paper over.
Step 8
Fold each corner so that they meet in the center of the shape.
Step 9
Turn the model over. You should see four split diamonds meeting in the center of the square.
Step 10
Open one of the diamonds along the center split and squash it flat to make a rectangle.
Step 11
Repeat this step with two other diamonds.
Step 12
Rotate the shape until the remaining diamond is at the top. This is the warrior's head. The flat rectangle at the bottom is the end of his robe. The other two rectangles are the large cuffs of his sleeves on his outstretched hands.
Step 13
Draw a face, helmet, sash and sword on the model to complete the samurai warrior.
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