Weekend Origami-- Kabuto Helmet for Kodomo no Hi

Fold the Kabuto (Samurai Helmet) for Children's Day!

Here's a pretty simple kindergarten level origami--all three of my kids folded this in their third year of kindergarten when they were 5.

It's the Kabuto--the Samurai Helmet that, along with the Koinobori carp streamers, is the traditional symbol of Children's (originally Boy's) Day on May 5.  This is one origami that's not only easy to fold, but will be instantly recognizable to any Japanese person, since *everybody* learns how to fold it (ok, so, my husband has forgotten how, but he *did* learn at one point).  Use any size square paper in any color you like-- and newspaper works just fine!  In fact, that's what kids use at school to fold this since you can make it big enough to actually wear on your head:-))

Kabutomushi:  Allomyrina dichotoma

...And if "Kabuto" sounds like a bug to you, well, you'd be right:-))












The Japanese Rhinoceros Beetle is Kabutomushi in Japanese.  See that big horn on his head?

Kabuto crests

...the Japanese think that beetle's big horn looks like the crest of a samurai helmet, hence his name:  Kabuto-mushi (helmet beetle).

A hand-drawn postcard for Kodomo no Hi featuring a Kabuto

You wanted to know all that, right?  Good.  Go get some paper...







...and let's fold!  Cici will show you how (if her hair doesn't get in the way...).   Have fun and Gambatte!



How'd you do?  Does yours look more or less like the photo at top?  Yattaaa---!  Yoku dekimashita:-)) (well done!)

Mata asobou, ne!