Modular origami would be an evolution of kusudama, an ancient Japanese art using folded paper to make receptacles intended to hold incense and potpourri. Unlike kusudama, which involved tying multiple parts together with threads to create larger structures, modular origami only uses folding to tie modules together, without glue, tape, or thread. When the individual modules are put together they make up a larger and more intricate origami structure that can be absolutely stunning.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Make a traditional origami envelope
Step 1. Start with a square of origami paper (you will need two in total)
A Japanese envelope is a typical example of modular origami, perfect for illustrating how modular origami works. Fold the first sheet of paper in thirds, as you would a letter to put in an envelope.
- Lay the paper face down on a flat, hard surface. Fold the top third of the paper down in a horizontal fold. Mark the fold well.
- Fold the resulting shape in half horizontally and mark the fold well.
Step 2. Fold down the angles
Fold the lower right corner up so that it rests on the top edge of the paper, making a diagonal crease. Mark the fold well.
- Fold the upper left corner down over the lower edge of the paper, folding the paper diagonally. Mark the fold well.
- You should now have a square in the middle of the paper with a triangle on each side, one folded towards you and the other folded in the opposite direction.
Step 3. Repeat the above steps with the second square of paper
You should end up with two pieces of paper folded identically.
You can now begin to assemble the modules to form the origami envelope
Step 4. Place one of the modules on top of the other
Lay the first module horizontally with the folded triangles on top of the paper.
Lay the second module on top of the first, but position it vertically with the triangles folded over the top of the paper
Step 5. Fold the right triangle of the first module over the second module
Take the right triangle from the first module and fold it down by folding the paper vertically along the edge of the second module. Mark the fold well.
The point of this triangle should touch the upper left corner of the square in the middle of the second module
Step 6. Fold the upper triangle of the second module down
Take the top triangle of the second module and fold it down, folding the paper horizontally along the top edge of the first module. Mark the fold well.
The point of the triangle should touch the lower left corner of the central square
Step 7. Fold the left triangle of the first module inward
Take the left triangle of the first module and fold it inwards by folding the paper vertically.
The point of the triangle should touch the lower right corner of the central square
Step 8. Fold the remaining triangle over the square and slide its point into the opening formed by the first folded triangle
Note that instead of just folding this triangle like the others, you need to slip its tip into the envelope, below another triangle.
The end result should look like a folded square made up of four triangles
Method 2 of 3: Make a modular five-pointed star
Step 1. Fold the first sheet of paper along its horizontal and vertical axes
To make a modular five-pointed star, start with a square of origami paper and end with a slightly raised five-pointed star.
- Lay the paper face down on a flat surface. Fold it in half vertically. Mark the fold well and unfold the paper.
- Keeping the paper in the same position, fold it in half horizontally. Mark the fold well and unfold the paper.
Step 2. Fold down the upper right corner
Fold the upper right corner so that its tip touches the center of the paper, where the two creases you made intersect.
Mark the fold well and leave the angle folded
Step 3. Fold down the lower left corner
Fold the lower left corner so that its tip touches the center of the paper, at the intersection of the horizontal crease and the vertical crease.
Mark the fold well and leave the angle folded
Step 4. Fold the upper left corner
Fold the upper left corner so that its tip touches the center of the paper, where your first two folds intersect.
Mark the fold well and unfold the angle
Step 5. Fold the paper back on its horizontal axis
Fold the paper along the horizontal fold already marked.
Mark the fold again and leave the paper folded
Step 6. Fold the rightmost triangle back
Take the rightmost triangle (it should be the only one with the wrong side up).
- Fold this triangle back (make a mountain fold) so as to have a diagonal fold.
- Mark the fold well and unfold the triangle.
Step 7. Fold along the vertical axis
Fold the paper in half along its vertical axis.
Mark the fold well and unfold
Step 8. Repeat the above steps
You have completed your first module. Repeat the same steps with four more squares of paper.
- By the end, you should have five modules.
- Each module has two openings, one in front and one behind, each ending with a paper tip.
Step 9. Slide the tip of one module into the opening of another
Take two modules. Slide one of the paper points from the first into one of the openings in the second.
You need to get an L shape
Step 10. Slide the tip of the third module into the L-shaped opening
Take a third module and slide its tip into the opening at the end of the L-shape.
You have to get a square
Step 11. Slide the tip of the fourth module into the opening of the square
Take the fourth module. Slide its tip into the opening of the square.
You can identify the opening thanks to the triangle whose back is visible
Step 12. Slide the tip of the fifth module into the opening of the fourth
At the same time, slide the tip of the fourth module below the fifth.
- Then, slide the tip of the first module into the opening of the fifth while sliding the second tip of the fifth module below the first.
- You will get a five-pointed star.
Method 3 of 3: Make a modular magic circle
Step 1. Start with a square of origami paper
This magic circle is made up of a series of modules that can be manipulated into multiple shapes once they are put together.
- Fold the paper in half vertically and mark the fold well. Unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half horizontally and mark the fold well. Unfold the paper.
Step 2. Turn the paper over
Fold it along its two diagonals.
- Fold the upper right corner so that it touches the lower left corner. Mark the fold well and unfold the paper.
- Fold the upper left corner so that it touches the lower right corner. Mark the fold well and unfold the paper.
Step 3. Fold the paper inwards to make a triangle
Following the folds already marked, push the horizontal folds on the right and left inward, towards each other.
Press down on the top of the paper. The paper should now have a triangular shape
Step 4. Fold the right and left edges over the center crease
Position the triangle with the point up and fold the left edge down so that it follows the center crease. Mark the fold well.
Fold the right edge so that it follows the center crease and mark the crease well
Step 5. Turn the paper over and repeat the process on the other side
Position the triangle with the point up and fold the left edge down so that it follows the center crease. Mark the fold well.
- Fold the right edge so that it follows the center crease and mark the crease well.
- You should have a four-pointed shape resembling a diamond: this is your first module.
Step 6. Repeat to make seven more modules
Repeat all of the above steps with seven more squares of paper.
You should finish with eight modules in all
Step 7. Slide the tips of one module into the openings of another
To assemble the modules, take one in your left hand.
- Take a second module in your right hand.
- Position the two modules so that their closed single tips are opposite each other.
- Slide the two tips of the right module into the two upper openings of the left one.
- Fold the two assembled modules so that they are perfectly superimposed, the simple tip of one touching that of the other.
Step 8. Repeat with all modules
Repeat the previous steps for each of the remaining modules.
Slide the tips of each new module into the openings of a module already attached to the others and fold the two modules on top of each other so that they are superimposed
Step 9. Reattach the last module to the first
To complete the circle, slide the tips of the first module into the openings of the last module of the chain.
Fold the two modules on top of each other so that they are superimposed
Step 10. Have fun with your magic circle
Now you can have fun reversing your magic circle by grabbing the inside edges and gently pulling them out until the circle turns around to give a new shape.