What age is this origami Japanese Umbrella (Wagasa) for?

About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 3 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 “わがさ” (和傘). 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 Japanese TraditionOriginal

How to make an origami Japanese Umbrella (Wagasa)わがさJapanese Umbrella (Wagasa)

A Japanese paper umbrella (wagasa) seen from below. The white ring in the middle is the "janome" (snake eye) pattern.

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

How to fold

白い面を上にして、4つのかどを、まん中に合わせて折る
Start with the white side up. Fold all four corners to the center.
まん中の4つの先を、外がわへ半分くらい折りかえす
Fold the four tips in the middle back out, about halfway.
まん中に、白いわができます。
4つのかどを、うしろへ折る
Fold the four corners behind.
まるいかさの形に近づきます。
できあがり！まん中から外へ、細いほねをたくさんかいたら、わがさのできあがり！
Finished! Draw lots of thin ribs from the center out to the edge, and your Japanese umbrella is finished!

Fun fact

わがさは、竹のほねに紙をはって、油をぬって雨をはじくようにしたかさです。白いわのもようのかさを「じゃのめがさ」といいます。

A wagasa is made by putting paper on a bamboo frame and coating it with oil so it keeps out the rain. One with a white ring pattern is called a janome-gasa.

Origami English in this model

corner角
white side白い面（裏）
umbrellaかさ
bamboo竹
rib（かさの）ほね
ringわ

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Japanese Umbrella (Wagasa) for?: About Age 5+. It is rated “Easy” (level 2 of 5), with 3 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 “わがさ” (和傘). 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.