What age is this origami Sumo Wrestler for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 5 steps, and takes about 6 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 “すもうとり” (とんとん相撲). 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.

★★Easy Toys & GamesOriginal

How to make an origami Sumo WrestlerすもうとりSumo Wrestler

A sumo wrestler wearing a colored belt (mawashi). Make two and play "tonton-zumo", paper sumo on a box.

5 steps
about 6 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 5+

How to fold

色の面を上にして、上のはしを大きく折り下げる
Start with the colored side up. Fold the top part down.
白いところが、からだになります。
下のはしを折り上げる。まん中に色のおびを残す
Fold the bottom part up. Leave a colored band in the middle.
この色のおびが「まわし」、下の白いところが足になります。
左と右のはしを、うしろへ折る
Fold the left and right sides behind.
上の2つのかどを、うしろへ折る（かた）
Fold the two top corners behind to make the shoulders.
頭のかどと、足のかどを、うしろへ小さく折る
Fold the corners of the head and the feet behind a little.
頭がまるく見えるように。
できあがり！顔とまげ、うでをかいたら、すもうとりのできあがり！まん中のたての線で軽く山折りにすると、ひとりで立ちます。
Finished! Draw the face, the topknot and the arms. Your sumo wrestler is finished! Bend it a little along the middle so it can stand up.

How to play

はこのふたを土俵にして、すもうとりを2人むかい合わせて立たせます。「はっけよい、のこった！」で、はこのはしを指でとんとんたたこう。先にたおれたり、土俵の外に出たりしたほうがまけです。

Use a box lid as the ring. Stand two wrestlers face to face. Say "Hakkeyoi, nokotta!" and tap the edge of the box with your fingers. The wrestler who falls down or goes out of the ring first loses.

Fun fact

すもうは、日本の国技といわれるスポーツです。土俵の外に出たり、足のうら以外が土についたりすると、まけになります。

Sumo is a traditional Japanese sport. A wrestler loses if he steps out of the ring or touches the ground with anything other than the soles of his feet.

Origami English in this model

corner角
colored side色の面（表）
wrestlerすもうとり・レスラー
beltおび（まわし）
ring土俵（どひょう）
tapとんとんたたく

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Sumo Wrestler for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 5 steps, and takes about 6 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 “すもうとり” (とんとん相撲). 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.