What age is this origami Shogi Piece 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 “しょうぎのこま” (将棋の駒). 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 Shogi PieceしょうぎのこまShogi Piece

A piece from shogi, the Japanese board game. It is a pentagon with a pointed top. Use wood-colored paper.

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

How to fold

色の面を上にして、上のはしを、うしろへ折る
Start with the colored side up. Fold the top edge behind.
左と右のはしを、少しななめにして、うしろへ折る
Fold the left and right sides behind at a slight angle.
下が少し広くなるように折ります。
上の2つのかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the two top corners behind.
こまの、とがった頭になります。
下のはしを、うしろへ少し折る
Fold the bottom edge behind a little.
できあがり！まん中に「王」などの字を書いたら、しょうぎのこまのできあがり！たくさん作って、こまあそびもできます。
Finished! Write a character such as 王 (king) in the middle. Your shogi piece is finished! Make many pieces and play with them.

Fun fact

しょうぎは、2人でこまを動かして、あいての「王」をつかまえたらかちになるゲームです。とったこまを、自分のこまとして使えるのがとくちょうです。

Shogi is a game for two players. You win by trapping your opponent's king. A special rule is that you can use the pieces you capture as your own.

Origami English in this model

corner角
edge辺（ふち）
colored side色の面（表）
pieceこま
king王さま
board gameボードゲーム
captureつかまえる・とる

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Shogi Piece 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 “しょうぎのこま” (将棋の駒). 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.