How to make an origami Empress Dollおひなさま（チャレンジ）Empress Doll (Challenge)
An empress doll in a juni-hitoe, a kimono with many layers. Fold a pleat again and again to make red and white collars.
★★Empress Doll (Hina Doll) (Easy)
- 7 steps
- about 12 min
- 1 sheet of origami paper
- Age 7+
7
How to fold
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白い面を上にして、下のかどを上のかどに合わせて折る
Start with the white side up. Fold the bottom corner up to the top corner.
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その先を、上へ折りかえす（赤い えり）
Fold that tip back up. This makes a red collar.
白い えりが、少しだけ のこるように折ります。
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もう一度、先を下へ折りかえす（白い えり）
Fold the tip back down once more for another white collar.
えりが 3まい かさなって、十二ひとえの ように なります。
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頭の上のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the top of the head behind.
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左右のかどを、内がわへ ななめに折り上げる（そで）
Fold the left and right corners up and inward at a slant. These are the sleeves.
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そでの先を、うしろへ折る
Fold the tips of the sleeves behind.
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できあがり！長い かみの毛、かんむり、おうぎをかいたら、おひなさまのできあがり！ おだいりさまと ならべて かざろう。
Finished! Draw her long hair, a crown and a fan. Your empress doll is finished! Display her next to the emperor doll.
白い えりが、少しだけ のこるように折ります。Fun fact
十二ひとえは、むかしの 宮中の 女の人の 正しい きもの。何まいも かさねて着て、えりや そでに 色の かさなりが 見えます。
The juni-hitoe was the formal dress of women at the old imperial court. Many robes were worn on top of each other, so layers of color showed at the collar and sleeves.
Origami English in this model
- corner角
- layer（重なった紙の）一枚
- white side白い面（裏）
- empressおひなさま（皇后）
- collarえり
- sleeveそで
❓ FAQ
- What age is this origami Empress Doll for?
- About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 7 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 “おひなさま（チャレンジ）” (お雛様). 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.
