What age is this origami Kadomatsu for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 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 “かどまつ” (門松). 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 Japanese TraditionOriginal

How to make an origami KadomatsuかどまつKadomatsu

Kadomatsu is a New Year decoration placed at the entrance of a house. Pleat folds make three bamboo stalks with slanted tops.

4 steps
about 7 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 5+

How to fold

色の面を上にして、下のふちを折り上げる（わらのところ）
Start with the colored side up. Fold the bottom edge up to make the straw base.
左がわで、たての段折りをする
Make a vertical pleat on the left side.
左をうしろへ折って、少しもどします。竹のさかい目ができます。
右がわでも、たての段折りをする
Make another vertical pleat on the right side.
上の左右を、ななめにうしろへ折る
Fold the top left and top right behind at a slant.
まん中の竹がいちばん高くなります。
できあがり！竹の切り口と、なわのもよう、松の葉をかいたら、門松のできあがり！
Finished! Draw the bamboo cuts, the rope and some pine needles, and your kadomatsu is finished!

Fun fact

門松は、お正月に年神さまをむかえるための目じるしと言われています。

Kadomatsu are said to be a sign that welcomes the New Year god to the home.

Origami English in this model

pleat段折り
edge辺（ふち）
colored side色の面（表）
bamboo竹
pine松
New Yearお正月

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Kadomatsu for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 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 “かどまつ” (門松). 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.