What age is this origami Standing Crane for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 19 steps, and takes about 18 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 “たつ鶴” (立つ鶴). 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 Birds & BugsTraditional

How to make an origami Standing Craneたつ鶴Standing Crane

A crane that stands up on the table with its neck held high. It starts from the bird base, and the lowered wings work as legs.

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19 steps
about 18 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

三角に折る
Fold in half to make a triangle.
さらに半分の三角に折る
Fold in half again.
袋を開いて、四角につぶす
Open the pocket and squash it into a square.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも袋を開いて、四角につぶす（正方基本形）
Squash this side into a square, too. This is the preliminary base.
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.
上の三角を折って、折りすじをつける
Fold the top down and unfold.
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).
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも、下のふちをまん中に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold.
こちらも花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side, too. This is the bird base.
下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the lower edges to the center line.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
こちらも同じように折る
Do the same on this side.
左の足を、中わり折りで高く上へ（首になる）
Inside reverse fold the left point up high to make the neck.
右の足を、中わり折りでななめ上へ（しっぽになる）
Inside reverse fold the right point up at an angle to make the tail.
首の先を中わり折りして、頭をつくる
Inside reverse fold the tip of the neck to make the head.
手前の羽を、ななめ前へ下ろす
Fold the front wing down and forward at an angle.
うしろの羽は、ななめうしろへ下ろす
Fold the back wing down and backward at an angle.
うしろの羽は、うしろ側で折ります（山折り）。2まいの羽が足のようになって、鶴が立ちます。
できあがり！2まいの羽を少し開いて立たせたら、たつ鶴のできあがり！金や銀の紙で折ると、お祝いのかざりにぴったりです。
Finished! Open the two wings a little so it can stand. Your standing crane is finished! Gold or silver paper makes it a great decoration for celebrations.

Fun fact

タンチョウの頭の赤いところは、羽ではなく、はだが見えているところです。

The red spot on the head of a red-crowned crane is not feathers. It is bare skin.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Standing Crane for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 19 steps, and takes about 18 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 “たつ鶴” (立つ鶴). 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.