What age is this origami Paper Lantern (Chochin) for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 steps, and takes about 8 minutes.

What paper do I need?

One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “ちょうちん” (提灯). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.

Can I print the instructions?

Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.

★★★Medium Japanese TraditionOriginal

How to make a Paper Lantern (Chochin)ちょうちんPaper Lantern (Chochin)

A red paper lantern that lights up summer festival nights. Fold pleats across the paper to make the lantern stripes.

7 steps
about 8 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

色の面を上にして、上と下のはしを、うしろへ細く折る
Start with the colored side up. Fold the top and bottom edges behind a little.
上の部分を、まん中より少し上で下へ折る
Fold the top part down, a little above the middle.
少しだけ上へもどして折る（ひだになる）
Fold it back up a little to make a pleat.
ひだのはばは、指1本くらいです。
下の部分を、まん中より少し下で上へ折る
Fold the bottom part up, a little below the middle.
少しだけ下へもどして折る（ひだになる）
Fold it back down a little to make another pleat.
左と右のはしを、うしろへ折る
Fold the left and right sides behind.
4つのかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the four corners behind.
まるいちょうちんの形になります。
できあがり！上と下に黒いふたをかいたら、ちょうちんのできあがり！字やもんをかいてもすてきです。
Finished! Draw the black caps on the top and bottom, and your lantern is finished! You can also write a word or draw a crest on it.

Fun fact

ちょうちんは、竹のほねに紙をはってつくる日本のあかりです。たたむと小さくなります。

A chochin is a Japanese lantern made of paper on a bamboo frame. It folds up flat.

Origami English in this model

pleat段折り
corner角
edge辺（ふち）
colored side色の面（表）
lanternちょうちん
lightあかり
stripeしま
festivalおまつり

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Paper Lantern (Chochin) for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 steps, and takes about 8 minutes.
What paper do I need?: One sheet of square origami paper (15 cm / 6 in). No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “ちょうちん” (提灯). The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.
Can I print the instructions?: Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.