Origami Coach

Samurai helmet

The traditional kabuto is a study in symmetry, layers, and small decorative folds. Begin with a generous square.

Use your browser’s print menu to print this guide or save it as a PDF.

Before you begin

1 sheet · Square paper

15 × 15 cm

No scissors needed

This lesson is being checked for folding accuracy. It has not yet passed a physical fold-through review.

Step-by-step instructions

Read through the fold before you begin, or open any step in the folding viewer.

  1. After step 1: The paper looks like a diamond.

    Start on a point

    Place your square colored side down with one corner toward you.

    Look for: The paper looks like a diamond.

    See this fold
  2. After step 2: The long folded edge is at the top.

    Fold a triangle

    Bring the top corner down to the bottom corner.

    Look for: The long folded edge is at the top.

    See this fold
  3. After step 3: The left flap follows the center line.

    Bring the left corner down

    Fold the left corner to the bottom point.

    Look for: The left flap follows the center line.

    See this fold
  4. After step 4: A diamond is formed from two flaps.

    Bring the right corner down

    Fold the right corner to the bottom point.

    Look for: A diamond is formed from two flaps.

    See this fold
  5. After step 5: A narrow triangular flap points upward.

    Lift the left loose point

    Fold the uppermost left loose point from the bottom back up to the top.

    Look for: A narrow triangular flap points upward.

    See this fold
  6. After step 6: The two points meet at the top.

    Lift the right loose point

    Repeat with the right loose point.

    Look for: The two points meet at the top.

    See this fold
  7. After step 7: A decorative horn points up and left.

    Spread the first horn

    Fold the upper left flap outward on a diagonal.

    Look for: A decorative horn points up and left.

    See this fold
  8. After step 8: The two horns are symmetrical.

    Spread the other horn

    Repeat on the right, matching the angle.

    Look for: The two horns are symmetrical.

    See this fold
  9. After step 9: A narrow strip remains below the folded triangle.

    Fold the front brim

    Lift the front layer of the bottom point. Fold it upward, stopping a little below the top of the central diamond.

    Look for: A narrow strip remains below the folded triangle.

    See this fold
  10. After step 10: A horizontal brim holds the front fold.

    Turn up the narrow strip

    Fold the narrow band upward along the horizontal center line, at the base of the horns. Keep the large front triangle pointing toward the crown.

    Look for: A horizontal brim holds the front fold.

    See this fold
  11. After step 11: The loose point is hidden behind the crown and the lower edge is straight.

    Fold the back point behind

    Fold the remaining bottom layer backward along the same horizontal line as the brim.

    Look for: The loose point is hidden behind the crown and the lower edge is straight.

    See this fold
  12. After step 12: The crown opens below its two decorative horns.

    Open gently

    Separate the layers at the lower edge to open the helmet.

    Look for: The crown opens below its two decorative horns.

    See this fold