Andrew Dewar - Japanese Paper Toys Kit: Origami Paper Toys that Walk, Jump, Spin, Tumble and Amaze! (Downloadable Material Included)

Fun with Japanese Paper Toys I love papercraft, and there are many kinds. I think Ive tried my hand at most of them. And the kinds I really love are those that do something. Pictures and models and scrapbooks are great, but I really want my projects to pop up, to jump, to move on their own and seem alive. During my long years in Japan, I have come across many traditional toys that move or have some kind of trick to them. The Japanese call them karakuri toys karakuri is the word for something that has a hidden mechanism to do unexpected and intriguing things.

These toys have been favorites of Japanese children for centuries. They are still very popular today, even in the age of computer games and anime, because they still have the power to amaze. Why do horses ride across a box as you tap it? How does the ladybug walk down a ramp? How does the paper acrobat keep his balance day after day? Karakuri toys are mysterious the first time you see them. Even when youve understood their secrets, they are still amusing. Many of the models in this kit are based on traditional Japanese paper toys: the pac pac, the sumo and robot wrestlers, the horse race, the jumping frog. Theyve been built and played with and passed on for hundreds of years.

Theres a reason why they have been around so longtheyre so fascinating that people immediately want to show their friends. So now, let me share them with you! Balancing and jumping toys. Freestyle jumping! Slow and steady wins the race. Play with me!

Tools and Techniques toothpicks ruler scissors nail clippers white school glue rubber bands Fold Paper with a Ruler Edge Use a thin plastic ruler when you fold the paper. This will give you crisp, straight creases without weakening the paper. Bending Paper Using Your Fingers Where the paper is curved, gently bend it with your fingers to train it before gluing.

This will preserve its spring and prevent buckling and creasing. Rolling Paper Up with a Toothpick Use a toothpick to roll up paper ballasts and bearings. Roll the paper tightly around the toothpick, fasten the end with a drop of glue, and pull out the toothpick. For bearings, loosen the roll slightly before gluing, just enough that it turns freely. Push Out the Paper Pieces Carefully You can push out the larger parts with your fingers, but be very careful not to crease or tear the paper! Patching a Tear Dont worry if you accidentally cut the wrong thing or tear the paper. Butt the two edges together, and glue the patch behind it, or between two parts. Butt the two edges together, and glue the patch behind it, or between two parts.

If the patch is small, it wont affect the toys balance. Trimming Away the Flash Use scissors to carefully trim the flash from around the edges of parts you have pushed out. This will make them look cleaner and fit together better. Gluing Paper Parts Use a toothpick to spread a drop of glue evenly over the whole surface to be glued. Very little is needed; in fact, a transparent film sticks much better than a thick layer. A little glue will make strong, clean joints.

Too much glue will warp the paper and ooze out at the edges, and make your toy look messy and grimy. I recommend that you practice with scraps of paper before gluing actual parts. Clipping the Toothpicks Nail clippers are great for cutting toothpicks to the right length. Snip the ends off after putting the toothpicks in place, and then seal them in place with a dab of glue.

How the Origami Diagrams Work Heres what the arrows in the directions mean: Fold this way Fold and unfold Fold around behind Flip the whole piece over