What age is this origami Diamond Rice Cake (Hishimochi) for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 7 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 “ひしもち” (菱餅). 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.

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How to make an origami Diamond Rice Cake (Hishimochi)ひしもちDiamond Rice Cake (Hishimochi)

Three-layer diamond rice cakes displayed for Hinamatsuri. Fold green paper and color the top layer pink.

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

How to fold

色の面を上にして、上のふちを、まん中より下まで折る
Start with the colored side up. Fold the top edge down below the center.
白いところのまん中で段折りして、2だんにする
Make a pleat in the middle of the white part to make two layers.
上をうしろへ折って、少しもどします。
下のふちを、うしろへ折る
Fold the bottom edge behind.
みどりのだんが、白いだんと同じくらいの高さになるように。
左右を、ななめにうしろへ折ってひし形にする
Fold the left and right sides behind at a slant to make a diamond shape.
できあがり！いちばん上のだんをピンクのペンでぬったら、ひしもちのできあがり！おひなさまの前にかざろう。
Finished! Color the top layer pink with a pen, and your hishimochi is finished! Put it in front of your hina dolls.

Fun fact

ひしもちの色には、ピンクはまよけ、白はきよらかさ、みどりは元気に育つように、というねがいがこめられていると言われます。

It is said that pink keeps bad luck away, white means purity, and green is a wish to grow up healthy.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Diamond Rice Cake (Hishimochi) for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 7 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 “ひしもち” (菱餅). 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.