What age is this origami Linked Cranes "Imoseyama" for?

About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 20 steps, and takes about 50 minutes.

What paper do I need?

2 sheets of origami paper of the same size (15 cm / 6 in or larger). The real model uses one 1:2 rectangle with a slit cut halfway down the middle No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “連鶴妹背山” (連鶴妹背山). 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.

★★★★★Master Birds & BugsTraditional

How to make an origami Linked Cranes "Imoseyama"連鶴妹背山Linked Cranes "Imoseyama"

Two cranes joined at the tips of their wings: a classic "renzuru" (linked cranes) from a book of 1797. This master version is finished in 3D.

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20 steps
about 50 min
2 sheets of origami paper of the same size (15 cm / 6 in or larger). The real model uses one 1:2 rectangle with a slit cut halfway down the middle
Adults

How to fold

2まいとも色の面を上にして、三角に折る
Place both sheets colored side up and fold them in half into triangles.
本物の妹背山は、たて1：よこ2の紙のまん中の線に、半分まで切りこみを入れて、正方形を2つつくります。切りのこした所が羽の先になり、2羽がつながります。
さらに半分の三角に折る
Fold them in half again.
袋を開いて、四角につぶす
Open the pockets and squash them into squares.
うらがえす
Turn them over.
こちらも四角につぶす（正方基本形）
Squash this side into squares, too. This is the square base.
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.
上の三角を折って、折りすじをつける
Fold the top down and unfold.
1まいめを下から持ち上げて、ふちを内側へ（花弁折り）
Lift the bottom corner of the top layer and fold the sides in (petal fold).
うらがえす
Turn them over.
こちらも、下のふちをまん中に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold the lower edges to the center line and unfold on this side, too.
こちらも花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side, too. This is the bird base.
下のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the lower edges to the center line.
うらがえす
Turn them over.
こちらも同じように折る
Do the same on this side.
左の足を中わり折りして、真横へ出す（首）
Inside reverse fold the left point straight out to the side. This is the neck.
足のつけ根の、羽と足のさかい目で折ります。
右の足も中わり折りして、真横へ出す（しっぽ）
Inside reverse fold the right point straight out, too. This is the tail.
首の先を中わり折りして、頭をつくる
Inside reverse fold the tip of the neck to make the head.
手前の羽を、下へたおす（上から見た鶴の形）
Fold the front wing down. Now you see each crane from above.
うしろの羽は上に残したまま。羽のつけ根の線で、しっかり折ります。
下の鶴の上の羽の先を、上の鶴の下の羽の先に合わせる（本物では、ここがつながっている）
Bring the two cranes together so their wingtips touch. In the one-sheet version they are already joined here.
羽を少し持ち上げ、首としっぽをたてに起こす。頭は下を向く
Lift the wings a little, and raise the neck and tail so they stand up. The heads point down.
首としっぽは、羽と直角になるように、たてにして起こします。つながった羽の先は、平らなままにします。
できあがり！2羽の鶴が、羽の先でつながりました！仲よく並んで飛んでいるように見えます。本物は1まいの紙なので、羽の先がちぎれないよう、そっと折りましょう。
Finished! The two cranes are joined at their wingtips! They look like a pair flying side by side. In the one-sheet version, fold gently so the joint does not tear.

Fun fact

「秘伝千羽鶴折形」は1797年に京都で出された本で、1まいの紙に切りこみを入れて何羽もの鶴をつなげて折る、49種類の連鶴がのっています。考えたのは、桑名（三重県）の長円寺のお坊さん、義道（魯縞庵）です。

Hiden Senbazuru Orikata was published in Kyoto in 1797. It shows 49 kinds of renzuru, cranes folded from one sheet that has been cut into connected squares. They were designed by Gido (Rokoan), a priest of Choenji Temple in Kuwana, Mie.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Linked Cranes "Imoseyama" for?: About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 20 steps, and takes about 50 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 2 sheets of origami paper of the same size (15 cm / 6 in or larger). The real model uses one 1:2 rectangle with a slit cut halfway down the middle No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “連鶴妹背山” (連鶴妹背山). 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.