What age is this origami Folding Fan (Sensu) for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 8 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 “せんす” (扇子). 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.

★★★Medium Japanese TraditionOriginal

How to make an origami Folding Fan (Sensu)せんすFolding Fan (Sensu)

Make four pleats around the middle of the bottom edge, and your paper becomes an open folding fan.

6 steps
about 8 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

色の面を上にする。上半分を、うしろへ折る
Start with the colored side up. Fold the top half behind.
上の左右のかどを、うしろへ大きく折る
Fold the top corners behind. Make them big.
下のまん中から、どこも同じくらいの長さになるようにします。
左右のはしを、下のまん中からななめに折る
Fold the left and right sides in at an angle from the middle of the bottom edge.
折ったところを、少し外へもどして折る（ひだになる）
Fold the flaps back out, leaving a narrow pleat.
ひだのはばは、細くてだいじょうぶです。
もう一度、左右のはしを、ななめに折る
Fold the left and right sides in at an angle again.
また少し外へもどして折る
Fold them back out again to make two more pleats.
できあがり！もちてをかいたら、せんすのできあがり！絵やもようをかいて、自分だけのせんすにしよう。
Finished! Draw the handle, and your folding fan is finished! Decorate it with your own pictures.

Fun fact

せんす（おうぎ）は、日本で生まれたといわれる道具です。たたむと小さくなり、広げてあおぐと風がおこせます。

The folding fan (sensu) is said to have been invented in Japan. It folds up small, and you open it to make a cool breeze.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Folding Fan (Sensu) for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 8 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 “せんす” (扇子). 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.