How to make an origami New Year Rope DecorationしめかざりNew Year Rope Decoration
A shimekazari, the New Year decoration people hang at the front door. A straw rope holds a white zigzag paper (shide), and you draw an orange and leaves on it.
- 7 steps
- about 10 min
- 1 sheet of gold or straw-colored origami paper (rope) and 1 slightly smaller sheet of white paper (zigzag paper)
- Age 5+
7
How to fold
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金色の紙（なわ）：上のかどを、うしろへ折る
Rope (gold paper): fold the top corner behind.
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白い紙（しで）：左右のふちを、まん中に合わせて折る
Zigzag paper (white paper): fold the left and right edges to the center.
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たて半分に、うしろへ折る
Fold in half behind to make a thin strip.
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下のほうを、ななめに右へ折る
Fold the lower part to the right at a slant.
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右へ出たところを、ななめに下へ折る（ジグザグ）
Fold the part sticking out to the right down at a slant to make a zigzag.
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しでの上を、なわのまん中のうしろにはさむ
Tuck the top of the zigzag paper behind the middle of the rope.
のりでとめると、かざっても落ちません。
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できあがり！なわのねじれ、だいだい、葉っぱをかいたら、しめかざりのできあがり！ 玄関やへやにかざろう。
Finished! Draw the twists of the rope, an orange and leaves, and your shimekazari is finished! Hang it by the door or in your room.
下のかどの先が、上からはみ出さないところで折ります。Fun fact
しめかざりは、年神さまをむかえるための、きよらかな場所のしるしです。だいだいは「代々（家がつづく）」のねがいをこめた実です。
A shimekazari marks a clean, sacred place to welcome the New Year god. The daidai orange stands for a family continuing for generations.
Origami English in this model
- tuck差しこむ（はさみこむ）
- fold in half半分に折る
- corner角
- edge辺（ふち）
- ropeなわ
- strawわら
- zigzagジグザグ
- doorドア・玄関
❓ FAQ
- What age is this origami New Year Rope Decoration for?
- About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 7 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.
- What paper do I need?
- 1 sheet of gold or straw-colored origami paper (rope) and 1 slightly smaller sheet of white paper (zigzag paper) No scissors or glue are needed.
- What is it called in Japanese?
- In Japanese it is “しめかざり” (しめ飾り). 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.
