What age is this origami Koto (Japanese Harp) for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 5 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 “こと” (琴). 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 Koto (Japanese Harp)ことKoto (Japanese Harp)

The koto is a Japanese musical instrument with strings on a long wooden board. Fold the top and bottom in twice to make the long board.

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

How to fold

白い面を上にして、上と下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Start with the white side up. Fold the top and bottom edges to the center line.
もう一度、上と下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the top and bottom edges to the center line again.
細長い板になります。
右はしの2つのかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the two corners on the right end behind.
左はしの2つのかどを、うしろへ小さく折る
Fold the two corners on the left end behind a little.
できあがり！横に長い糸と、糸をささえる「ことじ」をかいたら、ことのできあがり！
Finished! Draw the long strings and the little bridges (ji) that hold them up. Your koto is finished!

Fun fact

ことには、ふつう13本の糸があります。お正月によく聞く「春の海」は、ことと尺八の曲です。

A koto usually has 13 strings. "Haru no Umi" (The Sea in Spring), often heard at New Year in Japan, is a piece for koto and shakuhachi flute.

Origami English in this model

corner角
edge辺（ふち）
center line中心線
white side白い面（裏）
string糸・げん
instrument楽器
music音楽
bridge（楽器の）ことじ

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Koto (Japanese Harp) for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 5 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 “こと” (琴). 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.