How to make an origami Cicadaせみ（チャレンジ）Cicada (Challenge)
Big eyes and two wings with veins! This challenge version of the cicada is built from three pieces of paper: one for the body and two for the wings.
- 22 steps
- about 40 min
- Body: 1 sheet of 15 cm paper that is dark (black or dark green) on both sides. Wings: 2 strips of light paper, about 5 cm × 12 cm (see-through paper such as tracing paper looks very real)
- Age 10+
22
How to fold
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はね（うすい色の たて長の紙 2まい）：たて半分に折りすじをつける
Wings (2 long, light sheets): crease each one in half lengthwise.
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上の2つのかどを、まん中の線に合わせて三角に折る
Fold the two top corners to the center line to make a point.
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はねの外がわのふちを、細く折る（はねのふちの 太いすじ）
Fold a thin strip along the outer edge of each wing. This makes the thick vein at the front of the wing.
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うらがえして、はねの すじ（脈）を 折りすじでつける
Turn them over and make creases for the veins of the wings.
上の先から下へ、少しずつ向きをかえて 何本か 折りすじをつけます。
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先の方に、ななめの すじを 1本つける
Add one slanted crease near the tip of each wing.
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体（こい色の紙）：三角に折る
Body (the dark sheet): Fold in half to make a triangle.
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さらに半分の三角に折る
Fold in half again.
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下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
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上の三角を折って、折りすじをつける
Fold the top down and unfold.
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1まいめを下から持ち上げて、ふちを折りすじで内側へ（花弁折り）
Lift the bottom corner of the top layer and fold the sides in along the creases (petal fold).
上の折りすじが「ちょうつがい」。左右のふちが まん中で ぴたりと合うように、ゆっくり持ち上げます。
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うらがえして、下のふちをまん中に合わせて折りすじをつける
Turn over. Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
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こちらも花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side too. This is the bird base.
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下の2本のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the lower edges of the two bottom points to the center line.
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うらがえして、こちらも同じように細くする
Turn over and narrow this side the same way.
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上下の向きをかえる（細い2本が上）
Turn it upside down so the two thin points are at the top.
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2本の先を、中わり折りで 横に開く
Inside reverse fold the two points out to the sides.
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先を、中わり折りで 内がわへ折りかえして 短くする（目）
Inside reverse fold the ends back toward the middle to make them short. These are the eyes.
先が半分くらい もどるように 折りかえします。
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はねを1まい、体の上に ななめに のせる
Lay one wing on the body at a slant.
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もう1まいを 反対向きに ななめに のせる
Lay the other wing on top, slanting the other way.
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できあがり！セミのできあがり！ はねを少し もち上げて 山の形にすると、本物みたいに見えます。
Finished! Your cicada is finished! Lift the wings a little into a roof shape to make it look real.
上の先から下へ、少しずつ向きをかえて 何本か 折りすじをつけます。Fun fact
セミは 何年も 土の中で幼虫として くらし、地上に出てからは 1〜2週間くらいしか 見られません。鳴くのは オスだけです。
Cicadas live underground as young insects for several years, but after they come out, you can only see them for a week or two. Only the males sing.
Origami English in this model
❓ FAQ
- What age is this origami Cicada for?
- About Age 10+. It is rated “Challenge” (level 4 of 5), with 22 steps, and takes about 40 minutes.
- What paper do I need?
- Body: 1 sheet of 15 cm paper that is dark (black or dark green) on both sides. Wings: 2 strips of light paper, about 5 cm × 12 cm (see-through paper such as tracing paper looks very real) No scissors or glue are needed.
- What is it called in Japanese?
- In Japanese it is “せみ（チャレンジ）”. 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.
