What age is this origami Samurai Face for?

About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 4 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 “さむらい” (侍). 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.

★First Fold Japanese TraditionOriginal

How to make an origami Samurai FaceさむらいSamurai Face

A samurai face with a topknot (chonmage). The white side becomes the face, and the black edges become his hair.

4 steps
about 4 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 3+

How to fold

白い面を上にして、左と右のふちを少し内がわへ折る
Start with the white side up. Fold the left and right edges in a little.
黒いところが、かみの毛になります。
下のはしを、うしろへ折る
Fold the bottom edge behind.
上の2つのかどを、うしろへ小さく折る
Fold the two top corners behind a little.
下の2つのかどを、うしろへ大きく折る（あご）
Fold the two bottom corners behind to make the chin.
黒いかみの下のほうが、ななめにかくれます。
できあがり！ちょんまげと、きりっとしたまゆと目をかいたら、さむらいのできあがり！
Finished! Draw the topknot, strong eyebrows and eyes. Your samurai is finished!

Fun fact

むかしのさむらいは、頭の上をそって、のこりのかみをむすんだ「ちょんまげ」をしていました。

Long ago, many samurai shaved the top of the head and tied the rest of their hair into a topknot called a chonmage.

Origami English in this model

corner角
edge辺（ふち）
white side白い面（裏）
samuraiさむらい
topknotちょんまげ
hairかみの毛
brave勇かんな

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Samurai Face for?: About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 4 steps, and takes about 4 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 “さむらい” (侍). 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.