Kusudama Origami

by Tomoko Fuse

Kusudama is a decorative ball, which is originally used on festive occasions. It is now popular as ornaments and mobiles. Kusudama origami is composed of a variety of units joined together. It is different from ordinary unit origami, because it uses string or glue to put it together. This book illustrates how to make a basic traditional kusudama by adding colorful simple units together. In the same method, the book introduces a basic cube with four square sides and a basic ball that combines six square sides and eight regular triangle sides. Their enchanting applications will be irresistible to you. Also included are such fascinating projects as a hydrangea, a handball of bellflowers, a bouquet of lilies and a sea urchin.

Genres: Origami, Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts

113 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2002

Reviews

[Lisa Kucharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

At last I have finished creating all the pieces in the book. I would say this is intermediate to advanced at times. While many of the modular pieces are simple in structure, some of the flourishes and assembly require skill.

It also requires some experimenting with several paper thicknesses to determine how to get the model to look it’s best.

These models are not part of the one piece of paper, no cutting, no gluing, ONLY folds. This book incorporates many techniques that reflect the origins of what a kusudama is based upon- bunches of flowers tied in bunches to form a ball.

Many of the first pieces that you make prepare you for the final pieces that you make - involving stringing pieces of flower shapes together then laying them upon each other into a ball shape (by tying get again.)

So the first pieces, the bobbins are used later in the flowers but give you a sense of just using these items to create their own pieces. Then you advance to making cubes- with various types of faces linked by a simple diamond link shape (which holds better with glue in the long run.)

There are points in folding (eg- page 48 in steps 5, 6 & 7 where I was doing the folds and was familiar with the shape it was supposed to get to). But the way it was explained didn’t really lead me to it— If you find yourself here you may find it easier to “fold it all at once.” In the instance above I started 5, 6 and then just flipped the other pre-creased points to get to step 8.

I found this happened as well on page 64, at step 7 I found it easier to fold it all at one time (or collapse all 4 points to the inside and then find the folds to get to 8.). Just a suggestion- you may not have this issue.

Overall, some really beautiful pieces to be made here! A great deal of folding but it was a really worth it to learn all the lessons of structure and paper selection and being free to use devices such as glue, string etc...

Another joy is to learn from Tomoko Fuse! A wonderful designer and folder- if you don’t know her- if you do enough origami- you will find her at some point.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! All the kusudama are amazing and once you understand the organization of the book, the instructions are really easy to follow. Most of the kusudama have a basic form and the author gives you several options to choose from for decoration. As a result, each kusudama is a unique work of art based on your selections of paper and fold combinations. Kusudama take lots of work, but are the most rewarding origami because you can hang them as decorations to be admired when you're finished.

[Samantha Cira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Fuse. The kusudama's are really beautiful, the best designs require 60+ units.

[Esoteric Enigma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, spectacular kusudamas. Clear instructions, some of the models are not for novices.