ORIGAMI BASES
The origami bases
Even the hardest models are built from a few bases — shared starting shapes. See how they are related, then learn each one with an animation.
Family tree of bases
Each base below adds a few folds to the one above. The further down, the more long points you get for legs, horns and wings.
★★Easy
Kite base
対角線に合わせて、となりの2つのふちを折る。たこ（凧）の形になります。いちばん最初に覚えたい基本形。
Fold two neighboring edges to the diagonal. It looks like a kite — the first base to learn.
Edges exactly on the diagonal, so the bottom point stays sharp.
★★Easyfrom the kite base
Diamond base
たこの基本形を、反対の角からも折った形。細長いひし形になります。
A kite base folded from both ends of the diagonal, making a long diamond.
Fold from both ends to the same diagonal.
Models from the diamond base (3)
★★★★Challengefrom the diamond base
Fish base
ひし形の両側を、うさぎの耳折りで立てて倒した形。2本のひれ（足）が出るので、魚・くじら・鳥の作品に使います。
Rabbit-ear both sides of a diamond. Two extra flaps appear — great for fish, whales and birds.
Pre-crease all three lines before each rabbit ear.
Models from the fish base (3)
★★Easy
Blintz base
4つの角をまん中に合わせて折る。紙が半分の大きさの正方形になり、うらに4つのポケットができます。ます・やっこさん・風車の出発点。
Fold all four corners to the center. You get a smaller square with four pockets — the start of the masu box, yakko and pinwheel.
Crease both diagonals first so the center is exact.
★★★Mediumfrom the blintz base
Windmill base
左右のふちをまん中に折ってから、上下も折りすじに合わせてつぶし、4つの角を引き出す形。風車・船・テーブルなどに。
Fold the sides to the center, then fold the top and bottom while pulling out the four corners. Used for pinwheels, boats and tables.
Pinch the hidden layer and pull each corner out gently.
Models from the windmill base (1)
★★★Medium
Square base (preliminary base)
三角に2回折ってから、袋を2つ四角につぶした形。鶴・ゆり・カエルなど、たくさんの作品がここから始まるので、英語では「preliminary（下じゅんびの）base」とも言います。
Fold a triangle twice, then squash both pockets into squares. So many models start here that it is also called the preliminary base.
When you squash, keep the spine of the pocket right on the center line.
Models from the square base (41)
ORIGINALクリスマスツリー（立体）3D Christmas Tree
はばたく鳥Flapping Bird
ORIGINALたかHawk
つるCrane
しんぶんしのジャンボつるJumbo Newspaper Crane
ORIGINAL連鶴 四羽の輪Ring of Four Linked Cranes
ORIGINAL連鶴 鶴の親子Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes)
まう鶴Flying Crane
つる（立体）Crane with Spread Wings
たつ鶴Standing Crane
ORIGINALフラミンゴFlamingo
ORIGINALくじゃくPeacock
★★★Medium
Waterbomb base
正方基本形と同じ折りすじで、山と谷を反対にした形（うら返しの関係）。紙風船・金魚・ロケットのもとになります。
The same creases as the square base, with mountains and valleys swapped — it is the square base turned inside out. The start of the paper balloon and goldfish.
As you push the sides in, make sure the horizontal crease is a mountain fold.
Models from the waterbomb base (4)
★★★Mediumfrom the square base
Bird base
正方基本形の表と裏を、花弁折りで細長いひし形にした形。上下に長い2本と、左右に開く2本、合わせて4つの細い先ができます。鶴・はばたく鶴・くじゃくなど、鳥の作品の王さま。
Petal-fold both sides of the square base into a long diamond. You get four long points — the king of bird models: crane, flapping bird, peacock and more.
Before each petal fold, sharpen the kite creases and the top horizontal crease.
Models from the bird base (38)
★★★★Challengefrom the square base
Frog base
正方基本形の4つの袋を全部つぶし、さらに4つとも花弁折りした形。細い先が5本（4本＋まん中）できるので、カエル・ゆり・虫など、足の多い作品に使います。
Squash all four pockets of a square base, then petal-fold all four. You get five long points — perfect for frogs, lilies and insects with many legs.
In all four squashes, keep each spine on the center. It gets thick, so use thin paper.
