Origami Coach

Masu box

A traditional square box, formed without cutting or glue. The final walls grow from a careful set of guide creases.

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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 reverse side faces you.

    Prepare the square

    Place the colored side down. Keep the edges horizontal and vertical.

    Look for: The reverse side faces you.

    See this fold
  2. After step 2: A horizontal center crease is visible.

    Crease across the middle

    Fold the bottom edge to the top edge, then open.

    Look for: A horizontal center crease is visible.

    See this fold
  3. After step 3: Two guide creases cross at the center.

    Crease the other middle

    Fold the left edge to the right edge, then open.

    Look for: Two guide creases cross at the center.

    See this fold
  4. After step 4: Four triangles make a smaller square.

    Bring the corners to the center

    Fold each corner to the crossing of the guides. Rotate the smaller square so its edges are horizontal and vertical.

    Look for: Four triangles make a smaller square.

    See this fold
  5. After step 5: A wall-height crease runs near the lower edge.

    Mark the lower wall

    Bring the lower edge of the smaller square to the center. Crease and reopen this fold.

    Look for: A wall-height crease runs near the lower edge.

    See this fold
  6. After step 6: Two parallel wall guides are visible.

    Mark the upper wall

    Bring the upper edge to the center, crease, and reopen.

    Look for: Two parallel wall guides are visible.

    See this fold
  7. After step 7: A small square at the center marks the box floor.

    Mark both side walls

    Repeat with the left and right edges, reopening each fold.

    Look for: A small square at the center marks the box floor.

    See this fold
  8. After step 8: A long shape extends to the left and right.

    Open two opposite corners

    Unfold the left and right triangular flaps all the way outward. Leave the top and bottom corners folded in.

    Look for: A long shape extends to the left and right.

    See this fold
  9. After step 9: Two opposite walls stand around the floor.

    Raise the long walls

    Lift the top and bottom edges along their wall guides until they stand upright.

    Look for: Two opposite walls stand around the floor.

    See this fold
  10. After step 10: The first short wall stands and its tip reaches the center of the floor.

    Close the first end

    At the left end, bring the diagonal corner creases inward. Lift the end, then fold its pointed flap over the wall and down to the floor.

    Look for: The first short wall stands and its tip reaches the center of the floor.

    See this fold
  11. After step 11: Four walls surround a square floor.

    Close the other end

    Repeat at the right end. Press the final point into the floor.

    Look for: Four walls surround a square floor.

    See this fold
  12. After step 12: Your box sits flat without glue.

    Square the corners

    Gently straighten the walls and press the inside corners with a fingertip.

    Look for: Your box sits flat without glue.

    See this fold