What age is this origami Beckoning Cat (Maneki-neko) for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 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 “まねきねこ” (招き猫). 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 Beckoning Cat (Maneki-neko)まねきねこBeckoning Cat (Maneki-neko)

A beckoning cat that waves its paw to invite good luck. Fold it from gold paper for a lucky golden cat.

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

How to fold

白い面を上にして、上のかどを下のかどに合わせて、三角に折る
Start with the white side up. Fold the top corner down to the bottom corner to make a triangle.
左右のかどを、下のかどに合わせて折る
Fold the left and right corners down to the bottom corner.
前の2まいの下のかどを、上のかどに合わせて折る
Fold the bottom points of the front flaps up to the top corner.
上のかどを、ななめ外へ折って耳をつくる
Fold the top points out at an angle to make the ears.
耳の先が、上のかどより少し上に出るように。
うらがえす
Turn it over.
上と下のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the top and bottom corners behind.
左右のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the left and right corners behind.
できあがり！顔と、あげた手、赤いくびわとすずをかいたら、まねきねこのできあがり！
Finished! Draw the face, the raised paw, and a red collar with a bell. Your beckoning cat is finished!

Fun fact

まねきねこは、お店の入り口などにかざられる、えんぎものです。右手をあげたねこはお金を、左手をあげたねこはお客さんをまねくといわれています。

Maneki-neko are lucky charms often placed at shop entrances. It is said that a cat raising its right paw invites money, and one raising its left paw invites customers.

Origami English in this model

corner角
flapフラップ（動かせる一枚）
white side白い面（裏）
triangle三角形
paw（ねこの）手
lucky charmえんぎもの
bellすず
collarくびわ

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Beckoning Cat (Maneki-neko) for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 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 “まねきねこ” (招き猫). 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.