What age is this origami Paper Slapstick Fan (Harisen) for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 5 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.

What paper do I need?

one double page of newspaper, placed sideways, and tape (or a rubber band) No scissors or glue are needed unless listed above.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “ハリセン”. 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.

★★Easy Toys & GamesTraditional

How to make a Paper Slapstick Fan (Harisen)ハリセンPaper Slapstick Fan (Harisen)

The harisen is a paper fan used in Japanese comedy. Just pleat a sheet of newspaper, and it makes a loud "SMACK!" sound.

5 steps
about 10 min
one double page of newspaper, placed sideways, and tape (or a rubber band)
Age 5+

How to fold

左右半分に折って、折りすじをつける
Fold in half from left to right and unfold.
この折りすじが、じゃばらのまん中の目じるしになります。
左右のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折り、開く
Fold the left and right edges to the center line, then unfold.
はしから同じはばで、表・うら・表…と交互に折って、じゃばらにたたむ
Starting at one end, fold back and forth with the same width to make accordion pleats.
1つのはばは、指2本くらい（約3.4cm）。折りすじを目じるしに、1つの間に4つのひだが入るようにします。折るたびに指でしっかりおさえます。
まん中で、下を上へ半分に折る
Fold the bottom half up to make it half as long.
折ったほうが、持ち手になります。
下の3分の1をテープで巻いて持ち手にし、上をおうぎの形に広げる
Wrap the bottom third with tape to make a handle, then spread the top into a fan.
できあがり！持ち手をテープでぐるぐる巻いて（わゴムでとめてもOK）、上をおうぎの形に広げたら、ハリセンのできあがり！広げたところのまん中の合わさったじゃばらどうしを、テープで1か所とめると、形がくずれません。
Finished! Wrap the handle tightly with tape (a rubber band works too) and spread the top into a fan. Your harisen is finished! Tape together the two pleats that meet in the middle of the fan, and it keeps its shape.

How to play

持ち手をにぎって、つくえや自分の手のひらを「パシーン！」とたたいてみよう。音は大きいけれど、紙なのでいたくありません。それでも、人の頭や顔をたたくのはやめて、音を楽しんでね。

Hold the handle and slap a table or your own palm. SMACK! It is loud, but it is only paper, so it does not hurt. Still, please do not hit people's heads or faces. Just enjoy the sound.

Fun fact

ハリセンは「はりおうぎ（張り扇）」がもとになった道具で、むかしは講談（こうだん）という語りの芸で、台をたたいて調子をとるのに使われました。

The harisen comes from the hari-ogi, a paper fan that storytellers called kodan-shi used to beat out a rhythm on their desks.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Paper Slapstick Fan (Harisen) for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 5 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.
What paper do I need?: one double page of newspaper, placed sideways, and tape (or a rubber band) No scissors or glue are needed unless listed above.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “ハリセン”. 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.