What age is this origami Samurai Helmet (Another Way) for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 steps, and takes about 10 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 “かぶと（もうひとつの折り方）” (兜). 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 Japanese TraditionOriginal

How to make an origami Samurai Helmet (Another Way)かぶと（もうひとつの折り方）Samurai Helmet (Another Way)

Another way to fold a samurai helmet, starting from the waterbomb base. It has a tall V-shaped crest (kuwagata) and side flaps called fukikaeshi.

★★Samurai Helmet (Kabuto) (Easy)★★Newspaper Samurai Helmet (Easy)

7 steps
about 10 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

白い面を上にして、2本のななめの線で、折りすじをつける
Start with the white side up. Fold in half on both diagonals and unfold.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
横半分に折って、折りすじをつける
Fold in half from top to bottom and unfold.
折りすじにそって、左右を内がわへ入れながら、三角にたたむ（ふうせんの基本形）
Bring the sides in along the creases and collapse into a triangle. This is the waterbomb base.
上のかどを、ぜんぶいっしょにうしろへ折る
Fold the top point behind through all the layers.
ここが頭の上（はち）になります。
上の1まいの左右のかどを、下のまん中からななめ上へ折る（くわがた）
Fold the left and right corners of the top layer up at a slant from the middle of the bottom edge. These are the horns.
かどの先が、上のふちからとび出すように折ります。
のこった左右の下のかどを、ななめ上へ折る（ふきかえし）
Fold the remaining bottom corners up at a slant. These are the side flaps, fukikaeshi.
できあがり！くわがたのつけねに、金色のまるいかざりをかいたら、かぶとのできあがり！
Finished! Draw a round gold badge where the horns meet, and your samurai helmet is finished!

Fun fact

かぶとの前の角のかざりは「くわがた」、顔の横で外へそり返ったところは「ふきかえし」といいます。

The horn-shaped crest on the front of a helmet is called kuwagata, and the flaps that turn outward beside the face are called fukikaeshi.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Samurai Helmet (Another Way) for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 steps, and takes about 10 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 “かぶと（もうひとつの折り方）” (兜). 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.