What age is this origami Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes) for?

About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 17 steps, and takes about 80 minutes.

What paper do I need?

5 sheets of origami paper, each a little smaller than the one before (about 15, 12.5, 10, 8.5 and 7 cm). The one-sheet version uses paper cut so that squares of different sizes stay joined at their corners No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “連鶴鶴の親子” (連鶴鶴の親子). 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 & BugsOriginal

How to make an origami Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes)連鶴鶴の親子Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes)

Five cranes of different sizes, from parent to little ones, joined at their wingtips. This master-level 3D piece looks like a family flying off into the distant sky.

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17 steps
about 80 min
5 sheets of origami paper, each a little smaller than the one before (about 15, 12.5, 10, 8.5 and 7 cm). The one-sheet version uses paper cut so that squares of different sizes stay joined at their corners
Adults

How to fold

5まいとも色の面を上にして、三角に折る
Place all five sheets colored side up and fold them in half into triangles.
1まいで折るときは、大きい正方形の角に、少し小さい正方形の角がつながるように紙を切ります（角は5mmくらい切りのこす）。そこが羽の先になります。
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.
下のふちをまん中に合わせて折りすじをつけてから、1まいめを持ち上げて花弁折り
Crease the lower edges to the center, then lift the top layer and petal fold.
小さい紙ほど折りにくいので、つまようじで折り目をおさえるときれいにできます。
うらがえす
Turn them over.
こちらも同じように花弁折り（鶴の基本形）
Petal fold this side in the same way. 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.
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.
大きい鶴から順に、上の羽の先と、次の鶴の下の羽の先を合わせて、1列につなぐ
Starting with the biggest crane, let each upper wingtip touch the lower wingtip of the next smaller crane, making one line.
列を少しずつ曲げると、空を回りながら飛んでいるように見えます。
羽を少し持ち上げ、首としっぽをたてに起こす
Lift the wings a little, and raise the necks and tails so they stand up.
できあがり！親鶴のあとに、4羽の子鶴がつながって飛んでいきます！小さい鶴ほど遠くにいるように見えるのがポイント。家族や友だちへのお祝いにどうぞ。
Finished! Four little cranes follow their parent across the sky! The smaller cranes seem farther away. It makes a lovely gift for family and friends.

Fun fact

「秘伝千羽鶴折形」（1797年）には、2羽から97羽までつながる連鶴がのっています。大きさのちがう鶴をつなげると、親子や遠近（えんきん）を表すことができます。

Hiden Senbazuru Orikata (1797) shows linked cranes made of anywhere from 2 to 97 birds. Joining cranes of different sizes can show a parent and children, or birds near and far.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes) for?: About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 17 steps, and takes about 80 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 5 sheets of origami paper, each a little smaller than the one before (about 15, 12.5, 10, 8.5 and 7 cm). The one-sheet version uses paper cut so that squares of different sizes stay joined at their corners No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “連鶴鶴の親子” (連鶴鶴の親子). 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.