How to make an origami Stag Beetle (Master)くわがた（マスター）Stag Beetle (Master)
Big jaws and six bent legs! This master version of the stag beetle is built from five sheets: one for the head, three for the legs, and one for the back.
- 27 steps
- about 70 min
- 5 sheets of paper that are dark brown on both sides (one 15 cm sheet for the head, three sheets about 13 cm for the legs, and one sheet about 12 cm for the back)
- Adults
27
How to fold
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むねとはね（小さい紙）：たて半分に折って、折りすじをつける
Back (the small sheet): fold it in half from side to side and unfold.
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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.
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上を折り下げてから、少し上に折りかえす（段折り）。上が むね、下が はねになる
Fold the top down, then fold it back up a little (a pleat). The top part is the thorax and the bottom part is the wings.
段の高さは 5mm くらい。むねと はねの さかいめが、くっきり出ます。
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下のまん中の2つのかどを、小さく外へ折る（はねの先の切れこみ）
Fold the two small corners at the bottom middle outward to make a notch at the wing tips.
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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.
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さらに半分の三角に折る
Fold in half again.
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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.
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上の三角を折って、折りすじをつける
Fold the top down and unfold.
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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。
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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.
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こちらも花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side too. This is the bird base.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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あたま：2本の先を、中わり折りで左右に開く（大あご）
Head: inside reverse fold the two points out to the sides. These are the big jaws.
紙のあいだを少し開いて、先を中へ入れるように折ります。
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まえあし：2本を、中わり折りで ななめに開く
Front legs: inside reverse fold the two points out at a slant.
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なかあし：2本を、中わり折りで 大きく開く
Middle legs: inside reverse fold the two points out wide.
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うしろあし：2本を、中わり折りで ななめに開く
Back legs: inside reverse fold the two points out at a slant.
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大あごの先を、中わり折りで内がわへ曲げる
Inside reverse fold the tips of the jaws so they curve inward.
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6本のあしの先を、中わり折りで曲げて ひざをつくる
Inside reverse fold the ends of all six legs to make the knees.
つけねから半分より少し先で曲げると、あしらしくなります。
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あたまを、むねの下にさしこむ
Slide the head under the thorax.
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まえあしを、むねの下に入れる
Put the front legs under the thorax.
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なかあしを上下さかさにして、はねの下に入れる
Turn the middle legs upside down and put them under the wings.
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うしろあしも さかさにして、はねの下に入れる
Turn the back legs upside down too, and put them under the wings.
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できあがり！あたまに目をかいたら、クワガタのできあがり！ 大あごの先を少し上に そらせると、強そうに見えます。
Finished! Draw the eyes on the head, and your stag beetle is finished! Bend the tips of the jaws up a little to make it look strong.
段の高さは 5mm くらい。むねと はねの さかいめが、くっきり出ます。Fun fact
クワガタの大きな「大あご」は、おもにオスにあります。木のしるが出る えさ場をめぐって、ほかのオスと はさみあって たたかいます。
The huge jaws of a stag beetle are found mostly on males. They use them to grab and push other males in fights over trees that ooze sweet sap.
Origami English in this model
❓ FAQ
- What age is this origami Stag Beetle (Master) for?
- About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 27 steps, and takes about 70 minutes.
- What paper do I need?
- 5 sheets of paper that are dark brown on both sides (one 15 cm sheet for the head, three sheets about 13 cm for the legs, and one sheet about 12 cm for the back) No scissors or glue are needed.
- What is it called in Japanese?
- In Japanese it is “くわがた（マスター）”. 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.
