What age is this origami Taiko Drum 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 “たいこ” (太鼓). 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 Taiko DrumたいこTaiko Drum

A Japanese taiko drum that booms at festivals. White drumheads appear on the left and right.

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

How to fold

色の面を上にして、左と右のふちを、少し内がわへ折る
Start with the colored side up. Fold the left and right edges in a little.
白いところが、たいこの皮になります。
上と下のはしを、うしろへ折る
Fold the top and bottom edges behind.
4つのかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the four corners behind.
まん中がふくらんだ、たいこのどうの形になります。
できあがり！皮をとめるびょうと、ともえのもようをかいたら、たいこのできあがり！ドドンがドン！
Finished! Draw the studs that hold the drumheads and a swirl pattern (tomoe). Your taiko drum is finished! Don don!

Fun fact

たいこを打つ木のぼうを「ばち」といいます。夏まつりやぼんおどりでは、たいこの音に合わせておどります。

The wooden sticks for hitting a taiko are called bachi. At summer festivals and Bon dances, people dance to the sound of the taiko.

Origami English in this model

corner角
edge辺（ふち）
colored side色の面（表）
drumたいこ
drumstickばち
beat打つ・リズム
loud大きな音の

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Taiko Drum 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 “たいこ” (太鼓). 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.