How to make an origami Masu BoxますのはこMasu Box
A strong square box made without glue. It has the shape of an old Japanese masu. Use it to keep small things.
★★★Masu Box (Medium)★★★★Box with Lid (Challenge)
- 6 steps
- about 12 min
- 1 sheet of origami paper
- Age 7+
6
How to fold
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ふちとふちを合わせて半分に折り、折りすじをつける（2回）
Fold in half edge to edge, then unfold. Do it both ways.
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四つの角を、まん中に合わせて折る（ざぶとん折り）
Fold all four corners to the center.
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上と下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折り、開く
Fold the top and bottom edges to the center line, then unfold.
強く折りすじをつけておくと、あとで箱が立てやすくなります。
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左と右のふちも、まん中の線に合わせて折り、開く
Fold the left and right edges to the center line, then unfold.
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箱の形に組み立てる
Shape it into a box.
上下のかべを立てたら、左右のかべを立てながら、すみを内側へおしこみ、開いた三角をかべの上からうちがわへかぶせて底までおろします。
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できあがり！ますのできあがり！ 底のすみを指でおさえて、かべをまっすぐにととのえましょう。同じ紙で、少し大きいふたも作れます。
Finished! Your masu box is finished! Press the bottom corners with your fingers to make the walls straight. You can make a slightly bigger one as a lid.
強く折りすじをつけておくと、あとで箱が立てやすくなります。Fun fact
「ます」は、むかしお米やお酒の量をはかった木の箱です。節分の豆まきで、豆を入れるのにも使われます。
A masu is a wooden box that was used long ago to measure rice and sake. People also use it to hold beans at Setsubun.
Origami English in this model
- unfold開く（元に戻す）
- fold in half半分に折る
- corner角
- edge辺（ふち）
- center line中心線
- triangle三角形
- box箱
- wallかべ
- bottom底（そこ）
❓ FAQ
- What age is this origami Masu Box for?
- About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 12 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 “ますのはこ” (枡の箱). 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.
