Let me introduce the “Kotobuki-tsuru,” a stunning member of the origami crane family characterized by its wide, fan-like wings.
When folded with vibrant, colorful paper, it becomes a perfect centerpiece for New Year’s decorations and festive celebrations.
It may look complicated, but don’t worry.
You’ll have fun folding it, especially when you fold it into a fan shape.
Folding Instructions
First, fold the paper into a triangle twice.
Up to this point, the folding method is the same as for a paper crane.
Open the triangle you’ve made, then fold it into a square.
Fold the back side into a square as well.
Make a crease along the dotted line, then open it up.
Here, make a crease on only one side, leaving the other side flat.
Open only one side.
The opened part becomes the crane’s neck.
The unopened back side becomes a fan.
Flip it over.
Fold the fan
Fold the right corner marked with a circle to the left.
Fold along the dotted line, then unfold.
Once you’ve opened it, fold the left corner marked with a circle over to the right.
Then, fold the opposite side in the same way.
As shown by the dotted lines, fold along the center and crease both sides.
First, let’s smooth out the fold on the left.
Open the crease and fold it.
Then, fold it in half.
Next, fold the right pleat in the same way.
Then fold the remaining two pleats.
You’ll fold it a total of four times.
Keep flipping until the red side appears, then fold it up.
yurariIf I accidentally forgot to fold it up, the fan wouldn’t open properly.
Folding paper cranes
Fold it in half.
Next, fold the neck of the crane.
Fold the corners around the circle.
Here is the view from below and the view from above.
Fold it like a fan and make a slit down the middle.
Then, make a slit down the middle to form the beak.
Open the fan, and it’s done.
An Arrangement of “Kotobuki-crane”
For the first arrangement, I folded the three corners backward.
It then looked like a sunrise.
The second one was made by skipping the fine folds.
This one looks a bit like the shuttlecock of a traditional Japanese game.
Third, I used double-sided tape to secure the pleat in the center.
It looks like a gift tag, and I really like it.
Kotobuki-tsuru Chopstick Rest
Watch a video tutorial on how to fold it
On Pinterest, we show you how to fold it in a video.
In Conclusion
To be honest, this specific crane is the reason I fell in love with origami.
When I first saw it, I was deeply moved—I couldn’t believe that such a beautiful and intricate crane could be created from a single sheet of paper.
It remains one of my most cherished folds.