Zen Origami - 20 Modular Forms for Meditation and Calm

LOTUS CROWN SONOBE VARIATION

8 Complete up to step 8 of 9 This is what a complete unit 10 Assemble in the same way
the main sequence (see pages should look like. Curl the white as the basic model.
96–97), but instead of valley corners for a more organic look.
folding the corners, mountain
fold them. Then follow the rest
of the main folding sequence.

Here is a completed 30-unit model.

LOTUS CROWN SONOBE 99

SKY STAR
KUSUDAMA

1 Fold and unfold the paper in half from side 2 Fold the bottom right corner to the central
to side. crease. Repeat with the top left corner.

3 Fold the top raw edge over so it lays along the 4 Fold the paper in half along the vertical crease
top folded edge, then unfold it to form a crease. left to right.
Repeat with the bottom raw edge.

TURN OVER

5 Fold the top edge of the paper to the diagonal 6 This is what your paper should look like. Flip it

folded edge. over vertically.

SKY STAR KUSUDAMA 101

7 Repeat step 5 on this side of the paper. 8 Unfold the top layer.

9 Unfold the 2 biggest flaps, then turn the TURN OVER
paper over.
10 Fold the top raw edge to the nearest diagonal
crease.

11 Fold the top right edge of the paper over to 12 Fold the white flap so that the dots marked
align with the crease made in step 3. above meet. Simultaneously squash and flatten
the lower part of the flap . . .

102 ZEN ORIGAMI

10–12

13 . . . as shown here. Now, repeat steps 10–12 14 Fold the unit in half horizontally, aligning its
on the lower left side of the paper. top and bottom corners.

15 Fold the right-hand flap over along the 16 Turn the unit over and repeat the
existing crease. previous step on the other side.

17 This is what a complete unit should look like.
Make a total of 12, 24, or 30 units.

SKY STAR KUSUDAMA 103

ASSEMBLy

1 To connect 2 units takes 2 steps. First, slide the 2 Now, slide the small corner at the end of the
inner flap of the pink unit under the top layer of pink unit’s flap inside the pocket of the green unit.
the green unit, aligning the points and edges.

POCKET

Here is a close-up look at a flap 3 Add 1 more unit in the same way to form a
inside the pocket. triangular pyramid.

Here are 3 units joined together, forming a
pyramid with a triangular base. Continue adding
more units, one at a time, following one of the
assembly patterns on the next page.
Each unit should correspond to an edge of the
underlying polyhedron.

104 ZEN ORIGAMI

12-UNIT OCTAHEDRAL ASSEMBLY

For a 12-unit assembly, follow the structure of an Here is a completed 12-unit Sky Star Kusudama.
octahedron, forming new triangular pyramids in
clusters of 4.

30-UNIT ICOSAHEDRAL ASSEMBLY

For this 30-unit assembly, follow the structure of Here is a completed icosahedral 30-unit Sky Star
an icosahedron, forming new triangular pyramids Kusudama (pictured on page 100).
in clusters of 5.

SKY STAR KUSUDAMA 105

24-UNIT CUBOCTAHEDRAL ASSEMBLY

For a 24-unit assembly, join Continue adding more units, Here is a completed 24-unit Sky
4 units together to form a one at a time, forming new Star Kusudama.
pyramid with a square base. triangular and square pyramids
and following the structure of a
106 ZEN ORIGAMI cuboctahedron.

30-UNIT DODECAHEDRAL ASSEMBLY

For this 30-unit assembly, join Continue adding more units, Here is a completed
5 units together to form a one at a time, forming new dodecahedral 30-unit Sky
pentagonal pyramid. pentagonal pyramids and Star Kusudama.
following the structure of a
dodecahedron. The pyramids
will form clusters of 3.

SKY STAR KUSUDAMA 107

SKELLA ALPHA
KUSUDAMA

1 Fold and unfold the paper from the top right 2 Fold and unfold in half from side to side.
corner to the bottom left corner to form a
diagonal crease.

3 Fold both vertical edges to the central crease, 4 Fold the lower edge up, so that the new crease
then unfold. runs through the marked intersection of creases
and the lower right corner lands on the vertical
crease as shown. Repeat on the top edge.

90°

5 Fold both vertical edges to the center using the 6 Fold the unit in half along the vertical crease,

existing creases. then rotate 90° clockwise.

SKELLA ALPHA KUSUDAMA 109

7 Fold the right-hand flap over so that the crease 8 Fold the lower corner of the flap up, aligning
aligns with the edge of the bottom layer of the unit. it with the lower edge of the unit.

7–8

9 This is what your paper TURN OVER 11 This is what a complete unit
should look like. Now, turn should look like. Make a total of
it over. 10 Repeat steps 7–8 on this 12, 24, or 30 units.
side of the unit.

ASSEMBLy

POCKETS

1 Slide the corners at the Here is a close-up look. Note 2 Here are 3 units joined
end of a flap on a unit inside that each flap should be inside together, forming a triangle.
the pockets of another unit its respective pocket. Continue adding more units
as shown. in the same way, one unit at
a time, following one of the
110 ZEN ORIGAMI assembly patterns on the
next page. Each unit should
correspond to an edge of the
underlying polyhedron.

12-UNIT ASSEMBLY

For a 12-unit assembly, follow the structure of an Here is a completed 12-unit Skella Alpha Kusudama.
octahedron, forming new triangles in clusters of 4.
30-UNIT ASSEMBLY

For a 30-unit assembly, follow the structure of Here is a completed 30-unit Skella Alpha
an icosahedron, forming new triangles in clusters Kusudama (pictured on page 108).
of 5.

24-UNIT ASSEMBLY

For a 24-unit assembly, join 4 Continue adding more units, one Here is a completed 24-unit
units together to form a square. at a time, forming new triangles Skella Alpha Kusudama.
and squares and following the
structure of a cuboctahedron.

SKELLA ALPHA KUSUDAMA 111

SKELLA BETA
KUSUDAMA

1:2

1 Start with a 1:2 rectangle (you can create 2 Using the top right corner as a pivot point,
this by folding a square piece of paper in half, fold the bottom right corner upward to lay on the
unfolding it, and cutting along the crease). Bring horizontal crease. Repeat with the left side.
the bottom edge to the top, crease only in the
middle, then unfold.

3 Fold the right diagonal edge 4 . . . to look like this. Then 5 Fold both diagonal edges to
to the left edge, aligning them unfold. the crease made in step 3.
nicely . . .

6 Fold the unit in half along 7 Fold the right-hand flap over 8 Fold the lower corner of the
the central crease. Rotate it so that the crease aligns with flap up, creasing it along the
clockwise so that it matches the edge of the bottom layer of lower edge of the unit.
the next picture. the unit.

SKELLA BETA KUSUDAMA 113

7–8

TURN OVER

9 This is what your paper 10 Repeat steps 7–8 on this 11 This is what a complete unit
should look like. Turn it over. side of the unit. should look like. Make a total of
30 units.

ASSEMBLY

POCKET

1 Slide the corner at the end of a flap on a unit Here is a close-up look at a
inside the pocket of another unit as shown. flap inside a pocket.

2 Here are 3 units joined together, forming a Congratulations! Here is a completed
triangle. This model can be assembled in the same 30-unit Skella Beta Kusudama.
ways as Skella Alpha Kusudama (see page 111).

114 ZEN ORIGAMI

SKELLA BETA KUSUDAMA VARIATION

6–8 in
(15–20 cm)

2:5
10

You can also fold this model using rectangles with proportions This is what a complete unit
other than 1:2. For example, cut a large square sheet of paper made with a 2:5 rectangle
in half vertically and in fifths horizontally. This will give you 10 should look like. Make a total of
equal rectangles with 2:5 proportions. Then follow the basic folding 30 units. Assemble in the same
sequence to make the units. way as the basic model.

You will only need 3 large square sheets of paper to make a
30-unit model, with no paper wasted!

Here is a completed 30-unit Skella Beta
Kusudama folded with 2:5 rectangles.

SKELLA BETA KUSUDAMA 115

SKELLA GAMMA
KUSUDAMA

2:3

1 Start with a 2:3 rectangle (see 2 Using the top right corner as 3 Fold the right diagonal edge
pages 20–21). Fold and unfold a pivot point, fold the bottom to the left edge aligning them
from side to side to create a right corner upward to lay on nicely . . .
vertical crease. the crease.

4 . . . to look like this. Then 5 Fold both diagonal edges to 6 Fold the unit in half along
unfold. the crease made in step 3. the central crease. Rotate it
clockwise so that it matches
the next picture.

7 Fold the right-hand flap over 8 Fold the lower corner of the TURN OVER
so that the crease aligns with flap up, creasing it along the
the edge of the bottom layer of lower edge of the unit. 9 This is what your paper
the unit. should look like. Turn it over.

SKELLA GAMMA KUSUDAMA 117

7–8

10 Repeat steps 7–8 on this side of the unit. 11 This is what a complete unit should look like.
ASSEMBLY Make a total of 30 units.

POCKETS

1 Slide the corners at the end of a flap on a unit Here is a close-up look. Note that each flap
inside the pockets of another unit as shown. should be inside its respective pocket.

2 Here are 3 units joined together, forming a Here is a completed 30-unit
triangle. This model can be assembled in the same Skella Gamma Kusudama.
ways as Skella Alpha Kusudama (see page 111).

SKELLA GAMMA KUSUDAMA VARIATION A4 OR LETTER

You can also fold this model using rectangles with proportions
other than 2:3. For example, use 3:4 rectangles (see pages 22–23)
and follow the main folding sequence.

Another good option is to fold an A4 or a US letter-size sheet
of paper in fourths along both sides, then cut along the creases.
This will give you 16 equal rectangles, which will also work for this
project. You will only need 2 sheets to make a 30-unit model!

16

118 ZEN ORIGAMI

ROCCA
KUSUDAMA

1 Fold the paper in half from corner to corner, 2 Fold the lower right edge to the horizontal
creasing only in the middle, then unfold. crease. Repeat with the top edge.

3 Fold and unfold in half vertically to make a 4 Fold the lower right edge to the vertical crease.
crease. Repeat with the upper left edge.

90°

5 Fold the unit in half along the central vertical 6 Starting at the point marked with a triangle, fold
crease. Rotate the paper 90º clockwise. the right-hand flap to the left, aligning it with the
edge of the unit.

120 ZEN ORIGAMI

7 Fold the lower corner of the flap up, creasing it 8 Fold the little flap down, aligning it with the

along the bottom edge of the unit. bottom edge of the unit.

6–8

TURN OVER

9 This is what your paper should look like. 10 Repeat steps 6–8 on this side of the unit.
Turn it over.

11 Your unit should now look like this. Slightly 12 This is what a complete unit should look like.
unfold the flaps and rotate it. Make a total of 12 or 30 units.

ROCCA kUSUDAMA 121

ASSEMBLY

POCKET

1 Slide the flap of a unit inside the pocket Here is a close-up look at a flap inside a pocket.
of another as shown.

2 Add a third unit to create a pyramid. 3 Here are 3 units joined together, forming a
pyramid. Continue adding more units in the same
way, one at a time. This model can be assembled
in the same ways as Skella Alpha Kusudama (see
page 111).

Here are a completed 12-unit . . . . . . and a 30-unit Rocca Kusudama.

122 ZEN ORIGAMI

FIORELLA
KUSUDAMA

1 Fold and unfold the paper in half from side to 2 Fold and unfold both vertical edges to the
side to create a vertical center crease. center to form creases.

3 Fold the right edge to the farthest vertical 4 Using the creases made in step 2, fold both
crease, then unfold. Repeat with the left side of vertical sides to the central line.
the paper.

5 This is what your paper should look like. TURN OVER
Now, turn it over.
6 Fold the lower right corner up, aligning the
bottom edge with the left vertical crease, then
unfold. Repeat with the remaining 3 corners.

124 ZEN ORIGAMI

TURN OVER

7 Unfold the paper all the way back to a square, 8 Fold the lower edge up so that the circles
and turn it over. shown here meet. Unfold and repeat with the
top edge.

9 Fold both vertical edges to the center. 10 Fold the lower corner of the left-hand flap up
to align with the nearest horizontal crease.

11 Fold the lower part of the flap up along the 12 Reverse fold the lower right corner of the unit
existing crease while simultaneously squashing using the existing creases.
and flattening the lower left corner.

FIORELLA KUSDAMA 125

13 Fold the little white corner to the right so it 14 Opening up the top layer, fold it to the right
lays along the raw edge of the paper. while simultaneously squashing and flattening the
upper white corner.

10–14

15 This is what the lower part of your unit 16 Repeat steps 10–14 on the upper side of
should look like. the unit.

17 Refold all the valley and mountain folds 18 Here is what a complete unit should look like.
shown here. This will form flaps and petals. Make a total of 30 units.

126 ZEN ORIGAMI

ASSEMBLY

1 Arrange 2 units as shown and slide the right- 2 While you are doing this, pay attention to the
hand unit into the left-hand unit. position all of the layers.

3 Here are 2 units joined together. Note that the 4 Continue adding units in the same way, one
small petal of the right unit is now inside the at a time. For this model, instead of joining units
petal of the left unit. in groups of 3 to form triangles, it’s easier to join
them in groups of 5, forming 5-pointed “stars” first.

5 Add the remaining units, following the 30-unit Here is a completed 30-unit Fiorella Kusudama.
assembly method for Skella Alpha Kusudama (see
page 111).

FIORELLA KUSDAMA 127

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARIA SINAYSKAYA is an origami artist who is mostly known for her modular
origami designs—polyhedra, kusudamas, and stars. Born and raised in Russia,
she received a master’s degree in mathematics from Samara State University
and worked in the field of data analysis and statistical research.

Her mathematical background, combined with a special love for geometry,
led her to become deeply interested in modular origami and an avid paper
folder. Over the years, Maria has created a number of original origami
designs and has been a regular contributor to origami-related exhibitions and
publications around the world.

Maria resides in Durban, South Africa, and when she is not busy folding
paper she spends time with her husband, traveling the country and enjoying the
beauty and diversity of nature and wildlife that South Africa has to offer.