Kusudama: Ball Origami

Makoto Yamaguchi

KUSUDAMA BALL ORIGAMI

CONTENTS Symbols for folding ..... .. .......... 3 Diana .................•......... 14 Comet .......•.... . . . ........... 17 Luminous ..... . .................. 18 Neptune ......................... 2 1 Triangle Unit ..... .. . . ... . ......... 24 Tassel .....................•..... 26 Paper Tassel ....... . ..... .... ..... 27 Flower ........... ... . . . ... . ..... 30 UFO ..................... .. .. .. . 31 Breeze ............... ... .. . ..... 34 Elegance ..... . . . . . ..• .. . . . . ..... 38 Diamond ........................ 40 Dice ........ .. •.. . . . . . .. . ....... 42 Mercury ......................... 44 Venus ........................... 46 Tassel ..... . ... . .. . . . ..... . . ..... 49 Pluto ............. . ............. 50 Crown ..................... .. ... 52 Festival (1) ..... . ..• . .• ...... . .... 57 Festival (2) ............ .. ... .. .... 59 Rhapsody ..............•.. . . . .... 61 Shooting Star ........... . .. ... .... 62 Starflower ..............•......... 65 Morning Dew ..................... 68 Butterfly ........•......... .. ..... 70 Pansy ........................... 74

KUSUDAMA is a decorative paper ball for festive occasions. Originally it was an ornamental scent bag hung to clear away noxious vapors, thus the name "KUSU" (medicine) + "DAMA " (ball). Origami works are usually made from one piece of square paper, but Kusudama Origami is different. It combines several units of ongaml. Folding each piece and then joining the units with the completed ball in mind is an enjoyable process. No intricate methods are Involved: folding and joining the units is simple and easy. This IS a basic book for beginners. The step-by-step illustrations are clea r, and there IS no guesswork. A completed Kusudama makes a wonderful present. and is indispensable as a Christmas decoration.

SYMBOLS FOR FOLDING Valley fold

-----------

Mounlaln told

I/.

-- -----

Fold and unfold \0 make a crease

\

_ _ .. ..

.. -

Enlarged IIgure

Turn over Inside reverse fold

OulSIde reverse told

Pleat

/ Fold backward

o

(j Reduced IIgure

3

PLUTO (See page 50 )

BREEZE (See page

34 )

DICE (See page 42)

5

UFO (See page 31 )

SHOOTING STAR (See page 62 )

PANSY (See page 26.)

6

MERCURY (See page 44)

DIANA (See page 14 )

DIAMOND (See page 40.)

7

COMET (Seepage 17

FESTIVAL (See page 57.)

ElEGANCE (See page 38 )

MORNING DEW (See page 68)

BUIIERFLY (See page 70)

10

1

Open the String with the bunch 01 yarn and put a group of assembled units on I\.

2 VENUS (See page 46)

3

First, insert the marked string Into any slit of the units and then the other Siring in the folk::lY.1ng order: the second string In(o the second slit frern the first Siring, the third string into the third slit from the second string. and the fourth string into the second slit frcrn the third string.

4 FIRST & THIRD GROUPS

SECOND & FOURTH GROUPS

2 units

3 Units

2 units

3 units

Put the second grrup of units on lop of the first group, and thread the marked string through the second group, and the other strings in the following cxder: the second stnng into the third silt, the third stnng Into the second slit,
Put the third and fourth groups and thread the strings as illustrated.

11

Pull the stnngs one by one and shape the whole carefully.

Thread the stnng through the loop of the hanger.

8

Hold each of two strings tCgether and make a loose knot In the center and pull the string slowly. When the knot comes to the base, fasten it tightly so that the W'hoIe makes a round ball.

Tie twtce firmly as in step 6.

Cut the strings near the base. Completed.

12

DIANA

,/ / /

,

,,

,

/

/ /

BLINTZ FOLD

@

~

/

Make creases.

, ,

/

/ /

,

,,

,,

,

Make creases

/

,,

/

/",

Fold the four corners to the center

@

Make creases

Fold the pOint

to the crease.

Fold the other points In the

same way 14

,

,,

Fold SIX pieces 01 Ihls bas,c unll

/ Fold Ihe Opposite corner In the same way

This shows how 10 fold

Fold so thaI the marked part comes InSide.

Make creases

Open the upper layers

®

Make creases

15

Insen the pOint and lix, uSing a lillie glue.

JOIn the four Units to make a nng

Jam the top and the boUom the same way

\~---1'

/' Seen tram the top Completed

16

COMET Combine four Units and jOin them

-~/

•

I\/V_

"

/

-~Y1

/

!.--"_ J

,

Combine lOp and bottom In the same way

@

Seen from the top

Completed

17

LUMINOUS

, , ,

Fold the lour corners up to

the creases

Make creases

, , ,

,,

, , , , , /'-. @

Fold on the creases

Fold the points as shown_

@

Blintz Fold

18

Combine the four unlls In the

same way

/ •

r Lift one corner of Ihe Irlangle

Insert the pomt Into the slot

Blintz Fold

Make way

Sl)(

units In the same

Open the two flaps

19

Make a ring by JOining the four points

Completed

20

Combine the top and bottom units

NEPTUNE ,,

,,

, ,, ,,

@

FOld the corners to the

center

BLINTZ FOLD

Make creases.

,

Make a Blintz Fold

Fold the other liPS In the

same way

21

,

Open the four lIaps.

/

@

Make 6 Units In the same way

Unfold

@

Completed

The ratio of the paper Sizes

Kusudama units (6 sheets)

Triangle JOints (8 sheets)

22

Inserllhe corners Into the pockets of triangle Joints

See page 24 for the triangle unl!

JOin Ihe o!her corners In the same way

\

,

Make two groups of the Ihree units and JOin !hem

23

TRIANGLE UNIT G) ,---/.,----------,

It

B

,,

1---

,, ,,

,, ,,

@ Unfold

Bring (6) 10 the center crease_

Make a crease A

Slots

@

, , ,, , ,,

,,

Repeal the same fold as In step

2

Unfold

FOld over at the Intersecllng

24

point

Unfold

;

,, ,

..-

"

"--Fold over.

,, ,

Fold over

Fold over

® r==~7

Inse,- , the lip Into the pocket.

Completed

Fold over FOld along the crease.

,, , , , ,,

, , ,,

,, \

,

25

TASSEL

-

_.

--

--

--

Fold together a bunch 01 colorful strings

@

.

-

---Tie the middle WIth a pieCe

of slnng

Completed.

@

-..

. .

"- -

@ -

Let both ends drop down.

Tie the base 01 the bunch.

26

Trim lhe end

PAPER TASSEL -

@ ·. ·...

, .-.

I

-I

•

I "-

Use lour stripS of paper as long as you like

Put the fourth slnp over the third and through the first ~

stnp

'-

\

@

I

r

,

I

··

-

r Put the third slnp In the same way

FOld the other three stripS In the same way

@ r-

@

-

I H

J.

r Put the first Sinp between the

second

ftjj over. leaving a space 'ICe the width of the slnp

27

@ '-


Secure the center firmly

r-

I

I I

~

<:f

-

Pull each stnp

-

'-

()

JOin to Kusudama

LI!I up all the stripS

.......

Iv

Completed

28

Paste a small square 01 paper In the center and thread a piece of stnng through here.

I

1

r-

@

V 17/ 1

"\

®

over one 01 the stnps

Fold over the second stnp

I

-

1

1

'--

~

®

-

•

1

®

~

/1

1' Fold over the third SInp Put the last slnp through the !irs! slnp

'-

V 29

FLOWER PART ,,

,

,

,,

, , ,

," , , , , ,,

,,

,,

,,

Make creases BLINTZ FOLD

Completed

<2>

;:::.--

,

,

,,

Also fold the underneath triangles

Bring the lour corners 10 the

center

Fold and open the upper layers

@

Blintz Fold

30

~-

FOld so that the underSide tnangles come out

UFO

@

, ,

, , ,

,, Make creases

Make creases Blintz Fold

/1

1/

""I

Unfold.

@ Make creases

MaKe creases

Push Inward the marked parts

31

@

Unfold the lXlder IIiangIes

/ Unfold the upper fnangOs

0 ,

(Reduced figUre~

~

/'

/

" /

" Begin With the FLOWER PART on page 30.

Insert the corner

Outside paper

Fla#e<

®

_ _.2LpaI1 _~ Use paper 1/4 the size of the outside paper L

Fold on the crease

See page 17 fex this KUSUDAMA.

, , ,

Fold and Insert the corner Into the slot

32

Fold and open the upper corner

Push Inward the marked pans

Make 6 of thiS unit, and assemble the Units in the same way as shown on pages 16 and 17

®

Completed

Fold and open the under triangles

See page 16 for this KUSUOAMA.

Fold and open 1he under corners

Fold and open the upper corner

Fold and Insert the other corners In the same way

33

BREEZE

@ I I

I 0

I I

0 I

~~

:

~

I

Fold the corners to the center

0

I

0

,

I

I

I

Fold over 10 the center line

@

@

/1"'1

--

Repeat the same fold on the other side.

@

@

Pull Qut the corners

FOld the corners In triangles. 34

Fold In half

Fold both sides in the same way.

Fold the corners to the center

Fold the corners to the center

FLOWER PETA L Fold the corners 10 the center

®

FOld over

Open the tnangles and flauen

Fold over the corners

35

Turn over the topmost triangles

Insert each corner Into each pocket

Turn over the underneath tnangles

@ .

Join the top and the bottom in the same way.

36

Unfold

Make 6 of this unit

Insert the triangle Into the pocket.

Connect 4 unlls In lhe same Conneclln a loop

way

37

ELEGANCE

Begin WIth step 18 on page 37. Unfold

@ @

/ Insert the cOI'ners Into the tnangle on page 25

Make 6 01 thiS unit.

\ 38

The Rallo at Paper

f'

The paper to( the unit The paper for the tnangle.

Assemb!e the two groups

Completed

Using the trlang!es, connect the units.

39

DIAMOND ,,

@ @

, ,,

,,

,

, --~------­ ,

,

,, ,,

,,

,,

,,

Make creases Make creases.

Make creases

@

Fold the other squares same way

Fold to the center line

Fold to the crease

@/

+'-iJ Fold to the center line

40

pun out the corners

Open the triangles and lIallen 10 torm squares

In,

® Glue the other tiPS together.

Glue the tipS together

Completed Glue the \Ips together

Open the tnangles and !\a!!')n

@

Unlold

Fold the corners under

Fold the other tnangles In the same way

Make the same 6 Units

41

J

DICE Begin WIth step 8 on page 40.

Connecllhe lOp and botto In the same way Fold the corners in. and then

open them Qut again.

Fold lhe corners

,"

/.

:/

'. I

f-"':.. :I.',- - -- - - --}~ --

/:,

1"'

,

Completed

'

Fold again

@

Make creases Fold alilhe corners

42

Unfold

/

/ Raise the corners.

Fold the corners to the

center

Unfold.

Make 6 of this unit.

Fold the corners to the

center.

Connect 4 units by Inserllng the Hap Into each slot. Enlarged figure

@

Make an inside reverse fold at each corner.

43

MERCURY INSI DE

,,, -- - .... -------

@

Make creases

Cut Into 4 pIeCes

OUTSIDE

CD Begin with slep 14 on page 43. (Tur red over)

@ ,

,, ,

,,

,,

Fold over the triangles

,

Make creases

BLINTZ FOLD

44

FOld the corners 10 the center

FOld the corners \0 the center

FOld the corners back_

Make 6 01 this Unit

See pages 42-43 for assembling

Completed Open the underneath triangles

@

Insert

InlO

the slots Open the topmost triangles

45

VENUS

Open and llallen

Fold over

Fold over again

Unlold

@

Open and flatten

Fold 10 the center line

46

Turn over

Open and flallen

®

Open and !Iallen.

FOld the other lIaps In the same way

Tum over

Fold to the center line

Fold down the triangle Fold the other flaps In the

same way Untold and open

Fold the marked parts back so Ihal lhey meet al lhe back.

47

Fold to the center

Make 40 01 this unit

Pass thread through 10 umts and tie

Fold Ihe tnangle down.

Seen from Ihe Side. FOld down the triangle.

Fold on lhe creases as slep 20 ~

If)

.- ..

Open the sill a lillie

FOld the marked parts back so that they meel al the back

-.-.'-

., •

"

\

/'

"

.' Fold the marked parts baCk so that they meet at the baCK

.I, "'. \ -+- / '. j

•

,

Fold to the center

•

48

Fold the other corners In the same way

f

See pages

11-12 for assembling

the units -<"T"'I~

Cannecl 10 unlls With thread and tie the base

MAKING THE TASSEL Make 4 groups of 10 units.

Prepare lwo pieces of long string and lie them atlhe middle

Hold logelher a bunch of

colorful strings ----

-

---.

•

. ---

Tie a smatlloop at one of the ends, to mark It

Tie the middle WIth a piece of

s\nng

•

)

Alter tYing. leave about 10 em (4 Inches) of stnng on each side of the \Ie.

HANGER

Tie lhe two crossed strings and the bunch of string logelher In the middle.

Prepare a loop of sIring for hanging Tie Ihe base of the tuft

MarKing

Cut off exIra stnng

• Trim the end

49

PLUTO

A Vanallon of the design on page 46

Begin With step 7 on page 46

@ I

Fold the other side In !he same way Fold along the creases Fold along lhe creases

®

Open the triangles and flallen

Make 40 of this urn! Make InSide reverse lolds.

@

Unfold

JOIn the units the same way as VENUS on page 46 Insert Into the center of the outSide unll FOld over

Make InSide reverse lolds.

Fold so that all the triangles open.

OutSide unit Inside unit

See slep 29 on page 49 for 50

the outside unit. The ra tio 01 paper sizes.

Unfold

@

@ Fold over Make InSide reverse folds

Make InSide reverse folds

Fold each behind

Fold so that the points open.

Make 40 of this unit

Insert Into the outSIde unl!

JOin the units the same way as VENUS on page 46

\I

See step 29 on page 48 for the outside unit.

Make 40 of the unl! with

horns on page 48 JOin the unitS the same way as VENUS on page 46

The unit on page 48 (slep 29).

Step 27 on page 48 before folding the triangles

51

CROWN Begin WIth step 7 Q(l page 46

@

Unfold

Fold over

Fold over

@ @

The same fold as step 5

@

Make creases

@

@ JOIn lhe corners along creases.

52

Insert the marked part Into the pocket

Unfold

@

PARTB (Make 4)

Unfok:l

Insertlnlo PART A

~7J

@

PART A (Make 2)

PART A completed Make 2 of this unit

Inser1lhe marked part Into the pocket

Insert aU the other corners InSide the pockets In the

same way. Unfold

Fold like this

Insert the marked part

Into the pocket Fold over and fold lhe other sides In the same way

53

PARTe (Make 4)

Make a short crease in the cen ter lust tor Identlhcalion.

Insert lar Into the bottom.

Fold over to the crease.

@

Unfold so thai the triangles overlap

Insert all the other parts between PART A and PART B

Insert between PART A and PART B. 54

Insert all the other PART D's In the same way

Insert far Into the bollom.

The same triangle as step 2 on page 53.

Insert the tiP of PART B Into the FLOWER PART

P

PART 0 (Make 4)

f2Ej@ /

Insert Into the slots of PART B

"-

~

Insert the tipS Into the other PART A

@

FLOWER PART (Make 4)

Unfold the topmost triangles

USing paper t/4 the size. fold the rose flower ()(l page 30


Unfold the underneath triangles

55

Insert the tiPS 01 PART B Into the FLOWER PART

Unfold the upper triangles

Unlold the lower mangles

Completed

Insert the tiPS 01 PART 0 between PART B and FLOWER PART Use glue II necessary

Insert all the other tiPS In lhe same way

56

FESTIVAL 1

/

--- - - - - -

- - - --\

J'

-- ---

,

--- - - ----

,

Fold along creases.

• '.

""

. •

,J Inser! and fix two units in the same way.

.

" '" Fold the corners under.

@

Inser! the unfolded triangles Into the slots of each unIt. Use a dab of glue to ensure firm assembly.

Make creases.

Ma ke 2 01thIs assembly.

@

,j ' .' ....

/~==...;.

,,

/0': ,

Make InSIde reverse folds along the creases.

@

Make 12 of thIs Unit.

Unfold the corners. Fold over.

57

Insert and !Ix the Other Units.

Insen and fix the other assembly

Completed.

Make 6 units on page 53 and Insert them Into each corner.

58

FESTIVAL 2

, ----- -- - -------

®

I)

, --- ----- -

------

/ I Make creases,

®

-- ---- --I -----Completed

@ -----. - -

------Make 12 of this unit.

Fold along creases.

Assemble like (1).

@ I

Unfold the triangles.

l L.

~ - - ..

Fold along creases

-

..

Fold behind.

~ ,,

FOld triangles at

creases al 0 .

* and make

(

,

..

',

~

."

..

,,

Il

V

Make InSide reverse folds.

59

RHAPSODY

@

----- --------.'

\

/

••

.. " - -

Fold In halt again.

Fold In half

Open and Iiallen .

@

,,

,

" Fold along the crease

Make 8 of this Unit

@ Insert the corner of the unit Into PART A.

o

Open the last layer and make a three-O unit

\ 60

1rtSef1lhe

corners

InfO PART A

@

the other corners;\~:2:::::::::~~

Insert In the same way

t

Make 2 assembled Units and put together 61

SHOOTING STAR

\

----- ---

,

.._---1'!----_ , ,,

@

-- ---

I Fold In hatt

Fold In half again

/

.. ,.

-'

Open the upper layer and

flatten

@

®

@ ".----, , ,,

Make an Inside reverse fold

,,

Fold \0 the left

® •• Make a crease

Open the layer and flatten

62

Make a c rease.

Make an Inside reverse told Lltlthe !laps

@

Make a crease.

View trom the bollom

Make 24 01 this unit.

Place of Insertion.

The pocket to be Inserted Make a crease

Insert the point and glue.

@

Insert like this

Make 6 of these 4-unlt groups

63

....

/

"" ... -

~

" ".

JOin 4 of the assembled units In a link.

Insert each of the 6 into

another, and glue,

Join the top group and

bollom group.

Completed.

64

STARFLOWER

\

®

--- - ----

@

----

Fold in half. Fold in hall again.

Open the upper layer and

Fold the other corners in the same way.

flallen.

@

Unfold.

Make a crease on the center line.

Fold to the left.

Fold along the crease.

Open the layer and flatten.

Make a crease.

65

Push

In.

• Unfold

Completed

x Fold the corners along the creases.

Fold up accordIng 10 Ihe creases

TYPEB

Fold Itke thIs

Inser1 Into the pocket

@

TYPE A

'"";-=

:::::11\

Llfl the corners 66

JOtn 4 unIts WIth care.

TYPES

JOin the top

Fold the tnangles down.

Make a link by JOining 4 groups 01 PART A

Jom the bollom In the same way

JOin 2 PART As Make 2 of this assembled group

PART A

PARTS

Fold the triangle down. Make 4 of this assembled group

JOin 4 units with care.

67

MORNING DEW

,

" ,

Fold the two corners upward.

@

Fold Into shape of a triangle. Unfold

Fold to the right

Untold.

Fold up to the line.

@

Fold along center line. Bring down the two flaps.

68

,

,

Fold beneath

the upper layer.

Make a hanger with a piece of Slnng.

Glue the hanger between the top flowers.

Completed.

Make four groups of three flowers and glue them together.

t

Glue three flowers together.

Fold and Insert the points In the slot.

Glue

Make 12 flowers, each with 5 petals.

Make 60 units. Glue 5 petals together.

69

BUTIERFLY G)

® r----r,, ------, ,,, ,,

@

I -- -- ----- ----

Fold In half again. Fold In half

Open the InSide and flatten.

@

Open lhe Inside and squash,

Turn to the left

Unfold

@

Pull the InSide out and lIallen.

Fold the upper layer up to the line

70

Fold to the lefl.

Fold the point upward.

Fold only the upper layer to the left.

Fold up to the line

FOld to the fight

Fold only two layers to the fight

FOld the other two Haps In the same way. Fold up to the line

Fold all to the left.

71

@

Fold to the left

* Fold the olher POints In the same way

Open to the anginal sheet

Fold the peak downward

*

FOld backward

Fold the marked parts backward so tha t the edges meet on the center line.

Make a dent by pushing the center.

72

Fold the elMr corners excepllhe corner marked In the same way

*

® • ..---!rl:'~·Ir--_ •

Completed

Petals completed

Five lIowers glued

MaKe 60 petals

Use a bit of glue to JOin them

ThreE IlOwers glued

FIVE; petals are glued to make a flower. Make 12 flowers

73

PANSY

@ Fold over again .. /

./ Fold over

Open and flallen

@

Open lhe flap and lIallen.

Fold over

Unfold

./ • •• Open and lIatten.

74

Fold 10 lhe center crease.

®

Fold down the corners FOld down lhe other corners In the same way.

Fold over.

@

Fold the other flaps In the same way.

Fold 10 the cenler crease.

Unfold

Open the flap and Hatten.

Make an Inside reverse fold at each corner.

FOld the other corners In the same way.

Open a httle,

Turn over Pull oul all the other corners In the same way.

Pull out the corner.

75

@

Insert the other lips In the same way Inser1 the lip 0 under the pocket

JOin the units Ihe same way as VENUS on page 46.

VARIATION Begin With Slep 15 on page 75

@ Fold over

The other steps are the same as those from 16 .

76

Make 40 01 this ftower unit

Pass a thread through all 10 Units

US$14.00

KUSUDAMA IS a decorative paper ball for feshveoccasions. Originally It was an ornamental scent bag hung to clear away noXIOUS vapors, thus the name "KU$U" (medicine) "DAMA " (ball). Origami works are

+

usually made from one piece of square paper, but Kusudama Of/gaml is different It combines several units of origami. Folding each piece and then JOining the units with the completed ball In mind IS an enjoyable process No Intricate methods are involved; folding and joining the units

IS simple and easy This IS a basic book for beginners. The step-by-step illustrations are clea r, and there is no guesswork, A completed Kusudama makes a wonder1ul present. and is indispensable as a Christmas decoration

229 38

SHUFUNOTOMO/ JAPAN PUBLICATIC$13~

FasCiI1M' OrigaTnJ and t/}~~5 Folbs~ 800/968_24

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