What age is this origami Tato Purse for?

About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 10 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 “たとう”. 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 Japanese TraditionTraditional

How to make an origami Tato PurseたとうTato Purse

A traditional Japanese paper purse called a tato. You fold the four edges one after another in a circle, which makes a pretty twisted pattern. Keep small papers or a letter inside.

6 steps
about 10 min
1 sheet of origami paper
Age 7+

How to fold

たてと横に半分に折って、折りすじをつける
Fold in half both ways and unfold.
4つのふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折りすじをつける
Fold each edge to the center line and unfold.
4本の折りすじが、紙のふちを4つに分ける目じるしになります。
上のふちの左の目じるしから、右のふちへななめに、右上の角を折る
Fold the top right corner down at an angle, from the left mark on the top edge to the right edge.
右のふちは、まん中の目じるしと上の目じるしの、ちょうどあいだで折ります。
右のふちの上の目じるしから、下のふちへななめに、右下の角を折る
Fold the bottom right corner in at an angle, from the top mark on the right edge to the bottom edge.
下のふちは、まん中と右の目じるしのあいだ。1つ目の角の上から、いっしょに折ります。
同じように、左下の角を折る
Fold the bottom left corner in the same way.
さいごに、左上の角を折る
Finally, fold the top left corner in.
できあがり！4つ目の角の先を、1つ目のふちの下にそっと差しこむと、ひらかなくなります。たとうのできあがり！
Finished! Gently tuck the tip of the fourth corner under the edge of the first flap so it stays closed. Your tato purse is finished!

Fun fact

「たとう（畳紙）」は、着物や大切な紙をつつんでしまっておくための、折りたたんだ紙のことです。

A "tato" (tatogami) is folded paper used in Japan to wrap and keep kimonos and important papers.

Origami English in this model

unfold開く（元に戻す）
fold in half半分に折る
corner角
edge辺（ふち）
center line中心線
purse小物入れ・さいふ
twistねじる
patternもよう
letter手紙

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Tato Purse for?: About Age 7+. It is rated “Medium” (level 3 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 10 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 “たとう”. 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.