What age is this origami Horsetail Shoot (Tsukushi) for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 5 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 “つくし”. 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 Flowers & PlantsOriginal

How to make an origami Horsetail Shoot (Tsukushi)つくしHorsetail Shoot (Tsukushi)

Tsukushi are horsetail shoots that pop up in spring fields. A white stem, a brown head, and a pleat for the little collar on the stem.

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

How to fold

色の面を上にして、たてのななめの線で、折りすじをつける
Start with the colored side up. Fold in half from left to right on the diagonal and unfold.
下の左右のふちを、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Fold the lower left and right edges to the center line.
下の左右のふちを、こんどはうしろへ、まん中の線に合わせて折る
Now fold the lower edges behind to the center line.
白い細いところが、くきになります。
上のかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the top corner behind.
頭の左右のかどを、うしろへ折って、頭をまるくする
Fold the left and right corners of the head behind to round the head.
くきのまん中あたりを、少し段折りする（はかま）
Make a small pleat in the middle of the stem. This is the little collar.
下へ折ってから、少し上で上へ折りかえします。
できあがり！頭にもようをかいたら、つくしのできあがり！何本か作って、ならべてみよう。
Finished! Draw a pattern on the head, and your tsukushi is finished! Make a few and line them up.

Fun fact

つくしは「スギナ」という草の、春に出る芽です。くきのふしにある「はかま」をとってから、にて食べることもあります。

Tsukushi are the spring shoots of field horsetail. Some people pull off the little collars and cook them to eat.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Horsetail Shoot (Tsukushi) for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 6 steps, and takes about 5 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 “つくし”. 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.