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 clear, 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

o /

Fold backward (j

Reduced IIgure

3

BREEZE

(See page 34 )

DICE (See page 42)

PLUTO (See page 50 )

5

6

UFO (See page 31 ) SHOOTING STAR

(See page 62 )

PANSY (See page 26.)

DIANA (See page 14 )

MERCURY (See page 44)

DIAMOND (See page 40.)

7

COMET (Seepage 17

ElEGANCE (See page 38 )

FESTIVAL (See page 57.)

10

BUIIERFLY (See page 70)

MORNING DEW (See page 68)

3

VENUS (See page 46)

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, <rld the fourth slnnq into the third slit

1

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

2

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

2 units

2 units

SECOND & FOURTH GROUPS

3 Units

3 units

Put the third and fourth groups and thread the strings as illustrated.

1 1

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

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.

12

Thread the stnng through the loop of the hanger.

8

Tie twtce firmly as in step 6.

Cut the strings near the base. Completed.

DIANA

BLINTZ FOLD @

,

~ /

, /

/ /

, , , , , , /

, /", , /

Fold the four corners to the center

14

Make creases

Fold the pOint to the crease.

Make creases

/ ,

, , /

, /

, /

/ /

Make creases.

@

Fold the other points In the same way

, , ,

/

Make creases

®

Make creases

Fold SIX pieces 01 Ihls bas,c unll

Fold Ihe Opposite corner In the same way

Open the upper layers

This shows how 10 fold

Fold so thaI the marked part comes InSide.

15

16

Insen the pOint and lix, uSing a lillie glue.

JOIn the four Units to make a nng

\~---1'

/'

Seen tram the top

Completed

Jam the top and the boUom the same way

I\/V_ -~Y1 " /

/ ,

Combine lOp and bottom In the same way

Combine four Units and jOin them

•

!.--"_ J

Seen from the top

COMET

-~/

@

Completed

17

18

LUMINOUS

, , ,

, , ,

, , , ,

Fold the lour corners up to the creases

/'-.

Fold on the creases

@

, , ,

Make creases

@

Fold the points as shown_

Blintz Fold

/

• r

Blintz Fold

Open the two flaps

Combine the four unlls In the same way

Lift one corner of Ihe Irlangle

Insert the pomt Into the slot

Make Sl)( units In the same

way

19

20

Make a ring by JOining the four points

Completed

Combine the top and bottom units

@

BLINTZ FOLD

Make creases.

,

Fold the other liPS In the same way

NEPTUNE

, , , , ,

, , , , ,

FOld the corners to the center

Make a Blintz Fold

21

@

22

/

@

Unfold

The ratio of the paper Sizes

Triangle JOints (8 sheets)

Open the four lIaps.

Kusudama units

(6 sheets)

Make 6 Units In the same way

Completed

See page 24 for the triangle unl!

Inserllhe corners Into the pockets of triangle Joints

\

,

JOin Ihe o!her corners In the same way

Make two groups of the Ihree units and JOin !hem

23

TRIANGLE UNIT

@

@

,

, , , ,

, , , ,

Unfold

Repeal the same fold as In step 2

24

, , , , , , ,

Bring (6) 10 the center crease_

Unfold

, , ,

B

A

G) ,---/.,----------,

It 1---

Make a crease

Slots

FOld over at the Intersecllng point

, ,

, , , ,

Unfold

Fold over

- the lip Into the pocket. Inse, ,

,

FOld along the crease.

, , ,

, , , \ ,

Completed

Fold over

, , , ; .. - " , ,

"--- , Fold over.

®r==~7

Fold over

25

26

TASSEL

- _. -- -- - -

Fold together a bunch 01 colorful strings

. --­- --

@

Tie the middle WIth a pieCe of slnng

-.. . . "- - -

Let both ends drop down.

@

Completed.

@

Tie the base 01 the bunch. Trim lhe end

Use lour stripS of paper as long as you like

FOld the other three stripS In the same way

I H

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

@ r-

-

PAPER TASSEL -

-

@ , . -. · .

- I I · ...

I

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

Put the third way

@

J.

@

I I

slnp In the same

r

"-

~

'-

\ , · ·

r

Put the first Sinp between the second

•

r

-

-

27

<Zl ~

r-

<:f

Pull each stnp

'-

JOin to Kusudama ()

....... Iv

Completed

28

I

I ~

LI!I up all the stripS

@ '-

Secure the center firmly

I I

--

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

r-@

V

1 17/

1 over one 01 the stnps ® "\

Fold o ver the second stnp

- I 1 1

'--

~

® -•

® 1

1 '

~ /1

Fold over the third SIn p

Put the last slnp through the !irs! slnp

'-

V

29

FLOWER PART

, , ,

, , ,

" , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Make creases Completed

30

BLINTZ FOLD <2> ;:::.--

,

, , ,

Bring the lour corners 10 the center

Also fold the underneath triangles

Fold and open the upper layers

@

Blintz Fold

~-

FOld so that the underSide tnangles come out

@ ,

Make creases

Blintz Fold

@

Make creases

MaKe creases

UFO

, , , ,

Make creases

/1

1/ ""I Unfold.

Push Inward the marked parts

, ,

31

@ Unfold the lXlder IIiangIes

/

(Reduced figUre~

~ /'

Insert the corner

®

Fold on the crease

32 Fold and open the upper corner

"

Unfold the upper fnangOs

0 , /

/ " Begin With the FLOWER PART on page 30.

Outside paper

Fla#e<

L __ .2LpaI1_~ Use paper 1/4 the size

of the outside paper

See page 17 fex this KUSUDAMA.

, , ,

Fold and Insert the corner Into the slot

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

Completed

See page 16 for this KUSUOAMA.

Fold and open the upper corner

Push Inward the marked pans

Fold and open the under triangles

Fold and open 1he under corners

Fold and Insert the other corners In the same way

®

33

BREEZE

@

I I I 0 I 0 I I

~~ : ~ I 0 I 0 , I

I I

Fold over 10 the center line

@

--

@

34 Fold In half Fold both sides in the same

way.

Fold the corners to the center

/1"'1 Repeat the same fold on the other side.

@

Pull Qut the corners

@

FOld the corners In triangles.

FLOWER PETAL

FOld over

Fold the corners to the center

®

Open the tnangles and flauen

Fold the corners to the center

Fold the corners 10 the center

Fold over the corners

35

36

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.

Unfold

Conneclln a loop

Make 6 of this unit

Insert the triangle Into the pocket.

Connect 4 unlls In lhe same way

37

ELEGANCE

@

/ Make 6 01 thiS unit.

38

Unfold

@

\

Begin WIth step 18 on page 37.

Insert the cOI'ners Into the tnangle on page 25

Completed

Using the trlang!es, connect the units.

The Rallo at Paper

f'

The paper for the tnangle.

The paper to( the unit

Assemb!e the two groups

39

DIAMOND

@

, , ,

Make creases

@

Fold to the center line

@/

+­'-iJ

Fold to the center line

40

, , , ,

@

, --~------­,

Make creases.

pun out the corners

,

, ,

, , ,

, , ,

Make creases

, , ,

Fold the other squares In, same way

Fold to the crease

Open the triangles and lIallen 10 torm squares

J

Glue the other tiPS together.

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

Fold the other tnangles In the same way

Completed

Fold the corners under

®

Glue the tipS together

Glue the \Ips together

@ Unlold

Make the same 6 Units

41

DICE

Fold lhe corners

/. :/ ," '. I

f-"': .. :I.',- - -- - - --}~ --/: 1"-, ' , '

Fold again

@

Make creases

42

Begin WIth step 8 on page 40.

Fold the corners in. and then open them Qut again.

Completed

Fold alilhe corners

Connecllhe lOp and botto In the same way

Unfold

Raise the corners.

Make 6 of this unit.

Connect 4 units by Inserllng the Hap Into each slot.

Make an inside reverse fold at each corner.

/

/ Fold the corners to the center

Enlarged figure

Unfold.

@

Fold the corners to the center.

43

MERCURY

@

@ ,

, , ,

, ,

, , ,

Make creases

44

BLINTZ FOLD

FOld the corners 10 the center

Cut Into 4 pIeCes

Begin with slep 14 on page 43.

(Turred over)

OUTSIDE

CD

FOld the corners \0 the center

INSI DE

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

Make creases

Fold over the triangles

FOld the corners back_

Completed

@

Insert InlO the slots

Make 6 01 this Unit

See pages 42-43 for assembling

Open the underneath triangles

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

®

Untold and open

•

Open and !Iallen.

Fold the other flaps In the same way

FOld the other lIaps In the same way

Tum over

Fold to the center line

Fold down the triangle

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

47

•

48

Fold to the center

Make 40 01 this unit

Seen from Ihe Side.

FOld down the triangle.

~ .-..

Pass thread through 10 umts and tie

Fold Ihe tnangle down.

Fold on lhe creases as If)

slep 20

Open the sill a lillie

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

" .' -.'­., • -.

/' \ " "'. j • . , \ I, -+- / '.

Fold to the center

Fold the other corners In the

same way

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

f

See pages 11-12 for assembling the units

-<"T"'I~

Cannecl 10 unlls With thread and tie the base

MAKING THE TASSEL

Hold logelher a bunch of colorful strings

---- - . ---. ---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.

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

Tie Ihe base of the tuft

Cut off exIra stnng

Make 4 groups of 10 units.

Prepare lwo pieces of long string and lie them atlhe middle

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

HANGER

Prepare a loop of sIring for hanging

MarKing

Trim the end

49

•

PLUTO A Vanallon of the design on page 46

Begin With step 7 on page 46

I

Fold along the creases

@

Fold the other side In !he same way

Open the triangles and

® Fold along lhe creases flallen

Make InSide reverse lolds.

@ Unfold

FOld over

OutSide unit

Inside unit

50 The ratio 01 paper sizes.

M ake InSide reverse lolds.

Make 40 of this urn!

JOIn the units the same way as VENUS on page 46

Insert Into the center of the outSide unll

Fold so that all the triangles open.

See slep 29 on page 49 for the outside unit.

Unfold

@

Make InSide reverse folds

Fold each behind

Make 40 of the unl! with

horns on page 48

The unit on page 48 (slep 29).

Make 40 of this unit

JOin the units the same way as VENUS on page 46

JOin the unitS the same way as VENUS on page 46

Step 27 on page 48 before folding the triangles

@

\ I

Fold over

Make InSide reverse folds

Fold so that the points open.

Insert Into the outSIde unl!

See step 29 on page 48 for the outside unit.

51

52

CROWN

@

Fold over

@

Make creases

@

JOIn lhe corners along creases.

Unfold

@

Insert the marked part Into the pocket

Begin WIth step 7 Q(l page 46

Fold over

@

The same fold as step 5

@

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

Unfold

Fold over and fold lhe other sides In the same way

Insert aU the other corners InSide the pockets In the same way.

Fold like this

Insert the marked part Into the pocket

53

54

Insert lar Into the bottom.

PARTe (Make 4)

Make a short crease in the center lust tor Identlhcalion.

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.

Insert far Into the bollom.

The same triangle as step 2 on page 53.

PART 0 (Make 4)

Insert Into the slots of PART B

Insert the tiP of PART B Into the FLOWER PART

P f2Ej@ / "-

~ @

Unfold the topmost triangles

Unfold the underneath triangles

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

Insert the tipS Into the other PART A

FLOWER PART (Make 4)

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

<D

55

56

Insert the tiPS 01 PART B Into the FLOWER PART

Completed

Unfold the upper triangles

Unlold the lower mangles

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

FESTIVAL 1

/

- - - --- --- - - - - -\ J'

-- --- , --- - - ----, Fold along creases.

• , J '.

"" . . •

" ' " Fold the corners under.

@

Make creases.

@

,j' .' ....

/~==...;. /0': ,

Make InSIde reverse folds along the creases.

, ,

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

Fold over.

Inser! and fix two units in the same way .

Make 2 01 thIs assembly.

@ Make 12 of thIs Unit.

Unfold the corners.

57

Insert and !Ix the Other Units.

Completed.

58

Insen and fix the other assembly

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

FESTIVAL 2

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

I) ® ,

--- ----- - ------/ I

Make creases,

® -- ---- -- ------

I

Completed

@

-----. - - -------

Fold along creases.

@

I

l L.

Fold along creases

FOld triangles at * and make creases al 0 .

Make 12 of this unit.

Assemble like (1).

Unfold the triangles.

~ , , ,

( .. ',

~-- .. - ..

Fold behind.

~ . " .. Il , ,

V Make InSide reverse folds. 59

60

RHAPSODY

•

@

@

.'

/ .. "-­

• Open and Iiallen .

, , , "

Fold along the crease

Open the last layer and make a three-O unit

Fold In halt again.

Make 8 of this Unit

@

o \

----- ---------

\ Fold In half

Insert the corner of the unit Into PART A.

1rtSef1lhe corners InfO PART A

@

Insert the other corners;\~:2:::::::::~~ In the same way t

Make 2 assembled Units and put together

61

SHOOTING STAR

@

/

.. -'

,. Open the upper layer and

@

flatten

@".----, , , , , ,

Fold \0 the left

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

Fold In half again

Open the layer and flatten

62 Make a crease.

\

----- --- -- ---

I

Fold In hatt

®

Make an Inside reverse fold

®

• •

Make a crease

Make an Inside reverse told

Lltlthe !laps

Make a crease. @

View trom the bollom

Place of Insertion. Make 24 01 this unit.

The pocket to be Inserted

Make a crease

Insert the point and glue.

@

Insert like this

Make 6 of these 4-unlt groups

63

/

64

Insert each of the 6 into another, and glue,

Completed.

.... "" ... ~ - " ". JOin 4 of the assembled units

In a link.

Join the top group and bollom group.

@

@

Open the upper layer and flallen.

Fold to the left.

Open the layer and flatten.

®

STARFLOWER

Fold in hall again.

Make a crease.

\

--- - ---- ----

Fold in half.

Fold the other corners in the same way.

Unfold.

Make a crease on the center line.

Fold along the crease.

65

66

Push In.

•

Unfold

x Fold the corners along the creases.

Fold up accordIng 10 Ihe creases

Fold Itke thIs @

:::::11\ '"";-=

Llfl the corners

Completed

TYPEB JOtn 4 unIts WIth care.

Inser1 Into the pocket

TYPE A

TYPES

Jom the bollom In the same way

JOin the top

Make 2 of this assembled group

PARTS

Fold the triangle down.

JOin 4 units with care.

Fold the tnangles down.

Make a link by JOining 4 groups 01 PART A

JOin 2 PART As

PART A

Make 4 of this assembled group

67

MORNING DEW

, " ,

@ Fold the two corners upward.

Unfold

Fold to the right

Fold up to the line.

Fold along center line.

68 , , Fold beneath the upper layer.

Fold Into shape of a triangle.

Untold.

@

Bring down the two flaps.

Completed.

Make a hanger with a piece of Slnng.

Make four groups of three flowers and glue them together.

Fold and Insert the points In the slot.

Glue

Make 60 units.

t

Glue the hanger between the top flowers.

Glue three flowers together.

Make 12 flowers, each with 5 petals.

Glue 5 petals together.

69

BUTIERFLY

® r----r, ------, ,

@

, , , , , Fold In half again.

Open the InSide and flatten.

@

Turn to the left

@

Pull the InSide out and lIallen.

70 Fold to the lefl.

G) I

---- ----- ----

Fold In half

Open lhe Inside and squash,

Unfold

Fold the upper layer up to the line

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 the olher POints In the same way

72

Open to the anginal sheet

Fold the marked parts backward so that

the edges meet on the center line.

Make a dent by pushing the center.

@ Fold to the left

*

Fold the peak downward

FOld backward

® Fold the elMr corners excepllhe corner marked * In the same way

• ..---!rl:'~·Ir--_ •

Petals completed

MaKe 60 petals

Use a bit of glue to JOin them

FIVE; petals are glued to make a flower.

Make 12 flowers

Completed

Five lIowers glued

ThreE IlOwers glued

73

74

PANSY

@

/ .. ./

Open and flallen

Fold over

./ • ••

@

Open and lIatten.

Fold over again

Fold over

Open lhe flap and lIallen.

Unfold

Fold 10 lhe center crease.

® Fold down the corners

Fold over.

Fold the other flaps In the same way.

Open the flap and Hatten.

@

Unfold

FOld down lhe other corners In the same way.

Fold 10 the cenler crease.

Make an Inside reverse fold at each corner.

FOld the other corners In the same way.

Open a httle,

Turn over

Pull out the corner. Pull oul all the other corners In the same way.

75

76

Insert the other lips In the same way

Inser1 the lip 0 under the pocket

VARIATION

Begin With Slep 15 on page 75

Fold over

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

@

The other steps are the same as those from 16 .

@ 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 clear, and there is no guesswork, A completed Kusudama makes a wonder1ul present. and is indispensable as a Christmas decoration

22938

SHUFUNOTOMO/JAPAN PUBLICATIC$13~

FasCiI1M' OrigaTnJ and t/}~~5 Folbs~

800/968_24 ::er Arts

http://WWw . . fascinating_fOlds

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