Origami Basics: Unraveling the Art of Paper Folding with the Tsuru (Crane)


Origami Basics: Unraveling the Art of Paper Folding with the Tsuru (Crane)

Introduction Paragraph 1: Welcome to the fascinating world of origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding! Paper folding is a beautiful and mindful activity that brings joy to people of all ages, and it’s a great way to explore your creativity and improve your hand-eye coordination. With a few simple folds, you can transform a flat piece of paper into intricate and elegant shapes. In this article, we’ll embark on a delightful journey into the world of origami, starting with one of the most iconic and recognizable origami designs – the Tsuru (Crane).

Introduction Paragraph 2: The Tsuru, also known as the Japanese Crane, is a symbol of peace, happiness, and longevity in Japanese culture. It’s a popular origami design, often folded during festivals and special occasions. The delicate beauty of the Tsuru crane makes it a favorite among origami enthusiasts worldwide. In this article, we’ll learn the step-by-step process of folding a Tsuru using the ‘forma basica’ (basic form) method. This method is widely used and accessible, making it perfect for beginners and experienced folders alike. So, let’s gather our materials and begin our origami adventure!

As we delve into the art of folding the Tsuru, we’ll discover the fundamental techniques and folds that are essential for creating this elegant origami piece. From the simple folds of the square base to the intricate shaping of the crane’s wings, we’ll explore each step in detail, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of the process. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to confidently fold your own Tsuru crane and share its beauty and symbolism with the world.

forma basica tsuru origami

Basic steps to fold a Tsuru crane.

  • Square base
  • Double square fold
  • Unfold and squash fold
  • Fold in half
  • Shape the head and tail
  • Fold the wings
  • Final shaping

Enjoy your Tsuru crane!

Square base

The square base is the foundation for many origami designs, including the Tsuru crane. It’s a simple fold that creates a square from a rectangular piece of paper. Here’s how to make a square base:

1. Start with a rectangular piece of paper. The traditional aspect ratio for origami paper is 2:1, but you can use any rectangular paper you have. For a Tsuru crane, we recommend using a square piece of paper.

2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Crease the fold well.

3. Unfold the paper and fold it in half widthwise. Again, crease the fold well.

4. Unfold the paper completely. You should now have two intersecting crease lines.

5. Fold the top right corner of the paper down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.

6. Repeat step 5 with the top left corner. Fold it down to the bottom center crease.

7. Fold the bottom right corner up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.

8. Repeat step 7 with the bottom left corner. Fold it up to the top center crease.

9. Unfold all the folds you just made. You should now have a square with four triangles.

10. Fold the paper in half diagonally from top left to bottom right. Crease the fold well.

11. Unfold the diagonal fold.

12. Fold the paper in half diagonally from top right to bottom left. Crease the fold well.

13. Unfold the diagonal fold.

You have now created a square base. This is the starting point for folding the Tsuru crane.

Once you have mastered the square base, you can move on to the next step in folding the Tsuru crane, which is the double square fold. This fold creates the basic shape of the crane’s body.

Double square fold

The double square fold is the next step in folding the Tsuru crane. It creates the basic shape of the crane’s body.

1. Start with a square base.

2. Fold the square in half diagonally from top left to bottom right. Crease the fold well.

3. Unfold the diagonal fold.

4. Fold the square in half diagonally from top right to bottom left. Crease the fold well.

5. Unfold the diagonal fold.

6. Fold the square in half vertically. Crease the fold well.

7. Unfold the vertical fold.

8. Fold the square in half horizontally. Crease the fold well.

9. Unfold the horizontal fold.

10. You should now have a square with eight triangles.

11. Fold the top right triangle down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.

12. Repeat step 11 with the top left triangle.

13. Fold the bottom right triangle up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.

14. Repeat step 13 with the bottom left triangle.

You have now created a double square fold. This is the basic shape of the crane’s body.

In the next step, we will unfold and squash fold the double square fold to create the crane’s head and tail.

Unfold and squash fold

The unfold and squash fold is the next step in folding the Tsuru crane. It creates the crane’s head and tail.

  • Unfold the double square fold.
  • Fold the top flap down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.
  • Fold the bottom flap up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.
  • Squash fold the top and bottom flaps together. To do this, hold the top and bottom flaps together and push them towards each other until they lie flat against each other. Crease the fold well.

You have now completed the unfold and squash fold. The crane’s head and tail are now visible.

Fold in half

The next step in folding the Tsuru crane is to fold it in half. This will create the crane’s wings.

1. Start with the unfolded and squashed folded crane.

2. Fold the crane in half vertically. Crease the fold well.

3. Unfold the crane.

4. Fold the crane in half horizontally. Crease the fold well.

5. Unfold the crane.

6. You should now have a square with eight triangles.

7. Fold the top right triangle down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.

8. Repeat step 7 with the top left triangle.

9. Fold the bottom right triangle up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.

10. Repeat step 9 with the bottom left triangle.

You have now folded the crane in half and created its wings.

In the next step, we will shape the crane’s head and tail.

Shape the head and tail

The next step in folding the Tsuru crane is to shape its head and tail.

1. Start with the crane folded in half.

2. Fold the top right corner down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.

3. Repeat step 2 with the top left corner.

4. Fold the bottom right corner up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.

5. Repeat step 4 with the bottom left corner.

6. You should now have a diamond shape.

7. Fold the top flap down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.

8. Fold the bottom flap up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.

9. You should now have a square.

10. Fold the square in half vertically. Crease the fold well.

11. Unfold the square.

12. Fold the square in half horizontally. Crease the fold well.

13. Unfold the square.

14. You should now have a square with eight triangles.

15. Fold the top right triangle down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.

16. Repeat step 15 with the top left triangle.

17. Fold the bottom right triangle up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.

18. Repeat step 17 with the bottom left triangle.

You have now shaped the crane’s head and tail.

In the next step, we will fold the crane’s wings.

Fold the wings

The next step in folding the Tsuru crane is to fold its wings.

1. Start with the crane shaped with its head and tail.

2. Fold the top right flap down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.

3. Repeat step 2 with the top left flap.

4. Fold the bottom right flap up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.

5. Repeat step 4 with the bottom left flap.

6. You should now have a diamond shape.

7. Fold the right flap down to the left flap. Crease the fold well.

8. Repeat step 7 with the left flap.

9. You should now have a square.

10. Fold the square in half vertically. Crease the fold well.

11. Unfold the square.

12. Fold the square in half horizontally. Crease the fold well.

13. Unfold the square.

14. You should now have a square with eight triangles.

15. Fold the top right triangle down to the bottom center crease. Crease the fold well.

16. Repeat step 15 with the top left triangle.

17. Fold the bottom right triangle up to the top center crease. Crease the fold well.

18. Repeat step 17 with the bottom left triangle.

You have now folded the crane’s wings.

In the next step, we will perform the final shaping of the crane.

Final shaping

The final step in folding the Tsuru crane is to perform the final shaping.

1. Start with the crane with its wings folded.

2. Gently pull the wings out to the sides. Be careful not to tear the paper.

3. Shape the wings by gently curving them upwards. You can also shape the head and tail by gently curving them as well.

4. Your Tsuru crane is now complete!

Congratulations! You have now learned how to fold a Tsuru crane using the forma basica method. With practice, you will be able to fold this beautiful origami design quickly and easily.

The Tsuru crane is a symbol of peace, happiness, and longevity in Japanese culture. It is often folded during festivals and special occasions. You can also give origami cranes as gifts to friends and family members.

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about origami:

Question 1: What is origami?
Answer: Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Origami can be used to create a wide variety of objects, from simple animals and flowers to complex geometric shapes.

Question 2: What kind of paper is best for origami?
Answer: Origami paper is specially designed for folding. It is thin and strong, and it comes in a variety of colors and patterns. You can also use regular printer paper for origami, but it is not as ideal as origami paper.

Question 3: How do I learn origami?
Answer: There are many ways to learn origami. You can find books, websites, and videos that teach origami folds. You can also take origami classes at local community centers or art studios.

Question 4: What are some easy origami projects for beginners?
Answer: Some easy origami projects for beginners include the paper airplane, the jumping frog, and the origami crane. These projects are simple to fold and they are a great way to get started with origami.

Question 5: What are some challenging origami projects for experienced folders?
Answer: Some challenging origami projects for experienced folders include the origami rose, the origami dragon, and the origami peacock. These projects are complex and they require a lot of patience and skill to fold.

Question 6: Where can I find origami supplies?
Answer: You can find origami supplies at craft stores, online retailers, and some bookstores. You can also find free origami patterns and instructions online.

Question 7: How can I share my origami creations with others?
Answer: You can share your origami creations with others by displaying them in your home or office, giving them as gifts, or posting them online. You can also join origami clubs or groups to meet other origami enthusiasts and share your creations.

We hope this FAQ has answered some of your questions about origami. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Now that you know a little bit more about origami, you can start folding your own creations. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Tips

Here are a few practical tips to help you get started with origami:

Tip 1: Start with simple folds.

When you are first starting out, it is best to start with simple folds. This will help you to learn the basic techniques of origami and build your confidence. There are many easy origami projects that are perfect for beginners, such as the paper airplane, the jumping frog, and the origami crane.

Tip 2: Use good quality paper.

The type of paper you use can make a big difference in the outcome of your origami project. Origami paper is specially designed for folding and it is thin and strong. You can also use regular printer paper for origami, but it is not as ideal as origami paper.

Tip 3: Be patient and persistent.

Origami can be a challenging art form, but it is also very rewarding. The key to success is to be patient and persistent. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Keep practicing and you will eventually be able to fold even the most complex origami designs.

Tip 4: Have fun!

Origami is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. So relax, have fun, and let your creativity flow.

We hope these tips help you to get started with origami. With a little practice, you will be able to fold beautiful and complex origami creations in no time.

Now that you know the basics of origami and have some tips to help you get started, you can start folding your own creations. Origami is a great way to relax, be creative, and challenge yourself.

Conclusion

Origami is a beautiful and mindful art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to relax, be creative, and challenge yourself. In this article, we learned the basic steps of folding a Tsuru crane using the forma basica method.

We also explored some of the main points about origami, such as the different types of paper that can be used, the various folding techniques, and the many different origami projects that can be created. We also provided some tips to help you get started with origami, such as starting with simple folds, using good quality paper, and being patient and persistent.

We hope that this article has inspired you to try origami for yourself. With a little practice, you will be able to fold beautiful and complex origami creations in no time. So what are you waiting for? Grab a piece of paper and start folding!

Origami is a wonderful way to express your creativity and bring joy to others. Whether you are folding a simple paper airplane or a complex origami dragon, the process of origami is sure to be enjoyable and rewarding.


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