What age is this origami Shuriken (Ninja Star) for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 8 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.

What paper do I need?

2 sheets of origami paper in different colors (the same size) No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “手裏剣” (手裏剣). 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 Toys & GamesTraditional

How to make an origami Shuriken (Ninja Star)手裏剣Shuriken (Ninja Star)

A ninja star made from two sheets of paper. Four sharp points in two colors spin out like a pinwheel, and you can throw it!

8 steps
about 10 min
2 sheets of origami paper in different colors (the same size)
Age 7+

How to fold

2まいとも、白い面を上にして、半分に折る
Start with the white side up. Fold both sheets in half.
もう一度半分に折って、細い帯にする
Fold in half again to make a long, thin strip.
帯の両はしを、反対向きに三角に折る
Fold both ends of each strip into triangles, in opposite directions.
はしを、帯のはばと同じ長さだけななめに折ります。赤は青をかがみにうつした形（左右反対）にします。同じ形にすると組み立てられません。
まん中のななめの線で、半分ずつを反対向きに折る
At the middle, fold each half along a diagonal line: one half down and the other half up.
折り線は、三角に折ったはしと直角になる向きです。帯がZのような形になり、2つの三角の先が反対向きにとがります。
赤をうらがえして、青の上に十字に重ねる
Turn the red piece over and lay it across the blue piece.
三角を折った側どうしが向かい合うように重ねます。とがった先が、かざぐるまのように同じ向きに回っていればOK。
青の三角を2つとも開いて、赤の上にかぶせるように折る
Open the two blue triangles and fold them back down over the red piece.
赤の紙のまん中が、青の三角の中にはさまるように折ります。
うらがえす
Turn it over.
赤の三角も2つとも開いて、青の上にかぶせるように折る
Open the two red triangles and fold them over the blue piece, too.
4つの三角が、おたがいのまん中をはさみあうので、のりを使わなくてもばらばらになりません。最後にしっかり折りすじをつけます。
できあがり！手裏剣のできあがり！うらがえすと、まん中の色がかわります。
Finished! Your shuriken is finished! Turn it over, and the color in the middle changes.

How to play

紙で作ったまと（的）をかべにはって、手首をくるっとひねるように投げてみよう。人や動物には、ぜったいに投げないこと。

Tape a paper target to a wall and throw your star with a quick flick of the wrist. Never throw it at people or animals.

Fun fact

「手裏剣」は、手の中に持って投げる小さな武器のことです。ほしの形のものや、細長いくぎのような形のものなど、いろいろな形がありました。

A shuriken is a small weapon that was held in the hand and thrown. Real ones came in many shapes, such as stars and thin spikes.

Origami English in this model

open開く
fold in half半分に折る
diagonal対角線
white side白い面（裏）
triangle三角形
throw投げる
targetまと（的）
wrist手首
spinくるくる回る
mirror image左右反対の形（かがみにうつした形）
strip帯（おび）・細長い紙

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Shuriken (Ninja Star) for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 8 steps, and takes about 10 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 2 sheets of origami paper in different colors (the same size) No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “手裏剣” (手裏剣). 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.