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Paper Play

Everyday & decor

Masu box

A traditional box shaped like the Japanese wooden measuring cup. No glue — the folds lock it.

  • DifficultyIntermediate
  • PaperSquare, 15 × 15 cm
  • Steps11
  • About10 min

Why this level: The early folds are easy, but the end raises the walls in 3D while pushing the corners inside.

You need: 1 sheet of origami paper

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Start folding

Steps at a glance

  1. 1. Crease both diagonals

    White side up as a diamond. Fold the left corner to the right corner and unfold, then the bottom corner to the top corner and unfold.

  2. 2. Fold the four corners to the center

    Fold the top, bottom, left and right corners to the center point, one after another. You get a smaller coloured square.

  3. 3. Fold the top and bottom edges to the center and unfold

    Fold the top edge down to the center line and unfold. Do the same with the bottom edge.

  4. 4. Fold the side edges to the center and unfold

    Fold the left edge to the center line and unfold, then the right edge.

  5. 5. Unfold the top and bottom flaps

    Unfold the top and bottom triangle flaps back out. Leave the left and right flaps folded in.

  6. 6. Raise the side walls

    Stand the left and right parts straight up along the inner vertical creases. The folded-in flaps line the inside of the walls, and their tips stay flat on the floor.

  7. 7. Raise the far end wall

    Lift the far flap so the end wall stands up along the horizontal crease. At the same time push the small squares at the ends of the side walls inward: they fold along their diagonals and lie flat against the inside of the new wall.

  8. 8. Fold the flap into the box

    Fold the standing flap over the top edge of the wall into the box, covering and locking the corners. Its tip reaches the center of the floor.

  9. 9. Turn the box around

    Turn the box half a turn so the open end is at the far side.

  10. 10. Raise the other end wall

    As before, lift the flap to raise the wall while pushing both corners in along their diagonals.

  11. 11. Fold the last flap in — done

    Fold the last flap over the wall into the box. When all four tips meet in the middle of the floor, your masu box is done!

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