What age is this origami Ring of Four Linked Cranes for?

About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 17 steps, and takes about 70 minutes.

What paper do I need?

4 sheets of origami paper of the same size (15 cm / 6 in or larger; gold looks great). The one-sheet version uses a big square with a cross-shaped cut from the center that stops just before the edges No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “連鶴四羽の輪” (連鶴四羽の輪). 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 Ring of Four Linked Cranes連鶴四羽の輪Ring of Four Linked Cranes

Four cranes joined at their wingtips form a ring, with their heads facing out. A master-level 3D piece using the old Japanese art of folding linked cranes from one sheet.

★★Easy Crane (Easy)★★★Crane (Medium)★★★Flapping Bird (Medium)★★★Standing Crane (Medium)★★★Flying Crane (Medium)★★★Jumbo Newspaper Crane (Medium)★★★Crane Chopstick Rest (Medium)★★★Crane and Turtle (Medium)★★★★Crane with Spread Wings (Challenge)★★★★Dancing Crane (Challenge)★★★★Nesting Crane with Chick (Challenge)★★★★★Linked Cranes "Imoseyama" (Master)★★★★★Crane Family (Five Linked Cranes) (Master)

17 steps
about 70 min
4 sheets of origami paper of the same size (15 cm / 6 in or larger; gold looks great). The one-sheet version uses a big square with a cross-shaped cut from the center that stops just before the edges
Adults

How to fold

4まいとも色の面を上にして、三角に折る
Place all four sheets colored side up and fold them in half into triangles.
1まいで折るときは、大きな正方形のまん中から十字に切りこみを入れます。ふちの手前（5mmくらい）で止めると、4つの正方形が、ふちのまん中でつながります。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.
折りすじは、鶴を折るときと同じです。4羽とも、ここでしっかりつけておきます。
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.
しっぽをまん中に集め、となりの鶴と羽の先を合わせて、輪にする
Bring the tails together in the middle and let each wingtip touch the next crane, making a ring.
1まいで折ったときは、羽の先がもうつながっているので、しっぽをまん中に寄せるだけです。
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.
首は外に向けて高く、しっぽはまん中で少し低く起こすと、冠のような形になります。
できあがり！4羽の鶴が輪になりました！まん中で4本のしっぽが集まり、羽の先どうしが手をつないでいるようです。お祝いのかざりにぴったりです。
Finished! The four cranes make a ring! The tails meet in the middle, and the wingtips seem to hold hands. It makes a wonderful decoration for celebrations.

Fun fact

1まいの紙に切りこみを入れて、つながった鶴を折る「連鶴」は、1797年の本「秘伝千羽鶴折形」で広まりました。この本の連鶴は、三重県桑名市で「桑名の千羽鶴」として市の無形文化財になっています。

Renzuru, linked cranes folded from one cut sheet, became known through the 1797 book Hiden Senbazuru Orikata. In Kuwana City, Mie, these designs are protected as an intangible cultural property called "Kuwana no Senbazuru".

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Ring of Four Linked Cranes for?: About Adults. It is rated “Master” (level 5 of 5), with 17 steps, and takes about 70 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 4 sheets of origami paper of the same size (15 cm / 6 in or larger; gold looks great). The one-sheet version uses a big square with a cross-shaped cut from the center that stops just before the edges No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “連鶴四羽の輪” (連鶴四羽の輪). 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.