Traditional Origami Square Bowl Instructions

TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

Project Overview
  • Yield: 1 box
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Learn how to make a beautiful Japanese origami square box with these easy origami instructions. This traditional design makes a perfect paper bowl to serve snacks or to store stationary, nicknacks, jewelry, stationery, and other small items.

Tip

This origami model works best with paper that is slightly thicker than normal. It also looks best with paper that has color on both sides. However, even if you use plain white printer paper, this box will look great.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Paper trimmer or scissors

Materials

  • 1 sheet rectangular paper

Instructions

  1. Figure Out the Measurements

    Starting white side up, measure the length of your paper along the longest edge. Use a calculator to divide your paper by three. For example, if your paper is 11.5 inches, the sum would be 11.5 divided by three to equal 3.83 inches.

    Make a light mark at the third way in from the left as shown. Fold the right edge to the mark you just made and then unfold. Fold the left edge over to the crease you created in the last step.

    TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

    Tip

    If you only have square paper, you can fold the paper into thirds and then trim one-third off.  

  2. Fold the Corners

    With the paper unfolded, fold the bottom left corner diagonally right to the crease you created in the last step. Using the horizontal edge of the corner you folded as a guide, fold the bottom edge up to the top. There should be a small gap. Unfold the corner flap and make sure the paper is folded neatly.

    TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  3. Trim the Paper

    Make a light mark on the top right and left where the front layer of paper reaches. Trim off the paper using the two marks as a guide. If you only have scissors, make your mark along the whole length and cut along the line. Refold the right side, and then refold the left side.

    TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  4. Continue to Fold the Paper

    Fold the top layer in half to the left as shown. Unfold the left section. Fold the right section over to the right. Refold the left section to match the other side.

    TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  5. Fold the Corners

    Fold the top layer of the right section over to the left. Fold the bottom left corner inwards and align it with the vertical fold. Fold the bottom left corner, just the top layer to match the other side.Do the same with the top left and right corners.

    TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  6. Fold the Layers of the Paper

    Refold the top layer back over to the right. Make sure the corners stay flat as you fold it. Repeat the process on the left. Fold one layer of the left section over to the right.

    TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  7. Finish the Folding Process

    Fold the four corner inward. Refold the right flap over to the left. Make sure that the corner flaps stay in place as you fold. We will be pulling the box apart from the center.

    TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  8. Shape the Box

    Carefully spread the outside of the box apart. Squash the top and bottom whilst pulling the right and left edges, and then flatten out the top and bottom edges. You can now straighten out the box to your desired shape!

    TraditionalOrigami Square Bowl
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk