What age is this origami Spiny Lobster (Master) for?

About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 31 steps, and takes about 90 minutes.

What paper do I need?

10 sheets of paper that are red on both sides (one 20 cm sheet for the head, three 13 cm sheets for the legs, one 10 cm sheet for the shell, four sheets about 6 cm for the tail segments, each a little smaller, and one sheet about 7 cm for the tail fan) No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “伊勢えび（マスター）” (伊勢えび). 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.

★★★★★Master Sea LifeOriginal

How to make an origami Spiny Lobster (Master)伊勢えび（マスター）Spiny Lobster (Master)

Long antennae and a tail made of segments! This master version of the spiny lobster is built from ten sheets, perfect for the New Year.

★★★Shrimp (Medium)

31 steps
about 90 min
10 sheets of paper that are red on both sides (one 20 cm sheet for the head, three 13 cm sheets for the legs, one 10 cm sheet for the shell, four sheets about 6 cm for the tail segments, each a little smaller, and one sheet about 7 cm for the tail fan)
Adults

How to fold

こうら（中くらいの紙）：たて半分に折りすじをつける
Shell (the middle-sized sheet): crease it in half from side to side.
左右のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the left and right edges to the center line.
上の2つのかどを、外へ少し折りかえす（目の上のつの）
Fold the two top corners outward a little. These are the horns above the eyes.
下の2つのかどを、うしろへ三角に折る
Fold the two bottom corners behind as triangles.
2か所を段折りして、こうらにみぞをつける
Make two small pleats across the shell to give it grooves.
しっぽのふし（小さい紙 4まい）：上と下のふちを、まん中に合わせて折る
Tail segments (4 small sheets): fold the top and bottom edges to the middle.
4つのかどを、うしろへ小さく折る
Fold the four corners behind a little.
上を少し段折りして、ふしのさかいめをつくる
Make a small pleat near the top of each segment.
おびれ（小さい紙）：上の2つのかどを、まん中に向けて折る
Tail fan (a small sheet): fold the two top corners in toward the middle.
下の2つのかどを、うしろへ折って丸くする
Fold the two bottom corners behind to round the fan.
上の先から、おうぎのように 4本の折りすじをつける
Make four creases fanning out from the top point.
あたま（大きい紙）とあし（3まい）：4まいとも、三角に折る
Head (the big sheet) and legs (3 sheets): do the same with all four sheets. 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.
うらがえして、こちらも四角につぶす（正方基本形）
Turn over and 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).
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。
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.
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2本のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る（4まいとも）
Fold the lower edges of the two bottom points to the center line (on all four).
うらがえして、こちらも同じように細くする
Turn them over and narrow this side the same way.
4まいとも、上下の向きをかえる（細い2本が上）
Turn all four pieces upside down so the two thin points are at the top.
あたま：2本の先を、中わり折りで少しだけ左右に開く（しょっかく）
Head: inside reverse fold the two points out just a little. These are the long antennae.
あし：3まいとも、2本の先を中わり折りで左右に開く（開く角度を少しずつかえる）
Legs: inside reverse fold the two points of each piece out to the sides. Open each piece a little differently.
しょっかくの先を、中わり折りで外がわへ曲げる
Inside reverse fold the tips of the antennae outward.
6本のあしの先を、中わり折りで曲げる（ひざ）
Inside reverse fold the ends of all six legs to make the knees.
あたまを、こうらの下にさしこむ
Slide the head under the shell.
あしを3まい、こうらの下に入れる（うしろの2まいは上下さかさに）
Put the three leg pieces under the shell. Turn the back two upside down.
しっぽのふしを、こうらの下から少しずつ重ねてならべる
Line up the tail segments under the shell, each one tucked a little under the one before.
いちばんうしろにおびれをつける
Attach the tail fan at the very end.
できあがり！伊勢えびのできあがり！しょっかくをそらせて、お正月のかざりにしましょう。
Finished! Your spiny lobster is finished! Curve the antennae and use it as a New Year decoration.

Fun fact

伊勢えびは、こしが曲がるまで長生きするようにというねがいをこめて、お正月のかざりやお祝いの料理に使われます。

In Japan, spiny lobsters are used in New Year decorations and festive meals as a wish to live a long life, until your back bends like a lobster’s.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Spiny Lobster (Master) for?: About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 31 steps, and takes about 90 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 10 sheets of paper that are red on both sides (one 20 cm sheet for the head, three 13 cm sheets for the legs, one 10 cm sheet for the shell, four sheets about 6 cm for the tail segments, each a little smaller, and one sheet about 7 cm for the tail fan) No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “伊勢えび（マスター）” (伊勢えび). 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.