What age is this origami Hyottoko Mask for?

About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 3 steps, and takes about 4 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 “ひょっとこ”. 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.

★First Fold Japanese TraditionOriginal

How to make an origami Hyottoko MaskひょっとこHyottoko Mask

Hyottoko, a funny mask with a puckered mouth. The colored part at the top is the cloth (tenugui) on his head.

3 steps
about 4 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 3+

How to fold

白い面を上にして、上のかどをまん中まで折る
Start with the white side up. Fold the top corner down to the center.
色の三角が、手ぬぐいになります。
左と右のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the left and right corners behind.
下のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the bottom corner behind.
できあがり！かた方だけ大きな目と、とがった口をかいたら、ひょっとこのできあがり！手ぬぐいに水玉もようもかこう。
Finished! Draw one big eye, one small eye and a puckered mouth. Your Hyottoko is finished! Add polka dots to his cloth, too.

Fun fact

ひょっとこは、おまつりのおどりやおかぐらに出てくる、口をとがらせた男の人のおめんです。

Hyottoko is a mask of a man with a puckered mouth. You can see it in festival dances in Japan.

Origami English in this model

corner角
white side白い面（裏）
maskおめん
mouth口
funnyおもしろい
danceおどり

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Hyottoko Mask for?: About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 3 steps, and takes about 4 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 “ひょっとこ”. 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.