What age is this origami New Tea Leaves (Shincha) for?

About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 3 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 “しんちゃ” (新茶). 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 Flowers & PlantsOriginal

How to make an origami New Tea Leaves (Shincha)しんちゃNew Tea Leaves (Shincha)

May is the season for new tea. Tea pickers pick the bud at the tip with two leaves under it. Here is that shape in origami.

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

How to fold

白い面を上にして、下のかどを上のかどに合わせて、三角に折る
Start with the white side up. Fold the bottom corner up to the top corner to make a triangle.
左右のかどを、下のまん中からななめ上へ折る（2まいの葉）
Fold the left and right corners up at a slant from the middle of the bottom edge. These are the two leaves.
かどの先が、まん中の先より外に出るように。
2まいの葉の先を、少しうしろへ折る
Fold the tips of the two leaves behind a little.
できあがり！葉のすじをかいたら、しんちゃの葉のできあがり！
Finished! Draw the veins on the leaves, and your new tea leaves are finished!

Fun fact

立春からかぞえて88日目の「八十八夜（はちじゅうはちや）」（5月2日ごろ）につんだお茶を飲むと、元気でいられるといわれます。

People say that drinking tea picked on Hachiju-hachiya, the 88th day after the start of spring (around May 2), keeps you healthy.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami New Tea Leaves (Shincha) for?: About Age 3+. It is rated “First Fold” (level 1 of 5), with 3 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 “しんちゃ” (新茶). 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.