The image shows the completed Kase Cube with various faces folded from
different colors, including yellow, green and pink.
The fold lines on each face of the cube form a star-like pattern with
lines radiating from the center, creating a total of 8 segments.
Credits and Resources:
Design: Nishi Sakpal and Lindy van der Merwe
Text-Only Instructions: Copyright - 2024 by Nishi Sakpal and Lindy van der Merwe
Website: www.accessorigami.com
Dedication: This cube is dedicated to Saburo Kase (1927-2008), a Japanese origamist who lost his sight at the age of 12. Yet, he traveled the world teaching origami, with his friend, photographer and writer, Eiji Tajima.
You can find out more from this article describing Kase's life and a visit to India, where Nishi was honored to have met Saburo Kase during a workshop he gave.
Times of India - Origami's Yokozuna
For any questions, comments or suggestions, please email accessorigami@gmail.com
Description and more information:
This cube is assembled from 6 units folded from square paper.
Try to use large squares of medium thickness, especially when folding this model for the first time.
The finished model is a very sturdy, closed cube.
The crease lines that show on all faces are part of the design. Instead of hiding these lines, they should be strongly creased in order to form a star-like pattern on the outside of the cube.
This star-like pattern, unique to origami, is recognizable as the starting point for most modern-day origami bases where a square is folded in half in four directions.
Also, these symmetrical lines are, in a sense, connected across the entire cube, reminding us of our connectedness to each other and with everything around us.
So, for this cube, the crease lines are not just created to enable the folding, but are there to be appreciated for themselves and enjoyed through our sense of touch, without which origami would not be possible.
The units make use of the Blintz Base, which is folded and the points are then hidden, before turning over the model.
The joining method is fairly easy, since the modules have strong, fairly tight pockets where the flaps of other units may be inserted.
Apart from making a cube, you can also use this model as a box with a hinged lid (see instructions at the end of this tutorial).
NOTE:
This model starts from the blintz base. If you are able to achieve this without instructions, fold the blintz base once, then go to Step 5.
You can also learn about the Blintz and other origami bases at the following link:
Introduction to Most Used Origami Bases
PHASE 1: CREATING A UNIT
You will be folding 6 similar units to form your cube.
It is recommended that you complete this phase and Phase 2, folding all 6 units before attempting Phase 3, which will explain how to fit the pieces together to form the finished model.
Step 1
Place a square down with its edges to the left and right, top and bottom.
Step 2
Fold the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease well and unfold.
Step 3
Fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease well and unfold.
Step 4
Make the blintz fold by using the method you prefer to fold all four corners in to meet at the center of the square.
When pressed flat, you should end up with a smaller square-shaped model divided into 4 triangles.
Make sure that, as far as possible, all outside corners are folded neatly at a 90 degree angle and that the crease lines all lie straight and meet precisely in the center of the square.
Step 5
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with your folded square.
Step 6
We are now going to hide the points at the center of the square so we will have a figure that will resemble a picture frame.
To do this, you can choose one of two methods:
Method 1: With one of the edges facing you, take the loose point and valley fold it back towards you, to meet the center of the edge nearest you.
Make a strong crease.
Then, reversing the valley fold into a mountain crease, flip the point away from you, so it is hidden on the inside of the folds of the square.
Method 2: Omit the valley fold and, lifting the flap nearest you a little, fold the point under to touch the inside edge using a mountain fold.
The result of both methods should be that you have created a band or frame with a smooth surface along one of the sides of the square.
Step 7
Now turn your square so the next edge is facing you and repeat the previous step until all sides look the same, just like a picture frame.
Check that your folded bands are as straight as possible and that they meet each other nicely at the inner corners of the square.
These bands are important for the neatness of the sides of your cube, so take extra care to try to fold them accurately.
Step 8
Flip the paper over so that you have a smooth surface facing the ceiling, making sure the square is positioned as before, with the edges left and right, top and bottom.
Step 9
Fold both the top and bottom edges to the center horizontal crease line.
Result: The square should have formed into a rectangle placed in landscape orientation.
Leave folded.
Step 10
Fold the left and right edges of the rectangle in so they meet each other along the vertical center of the model.
Result: Your unit will now be a multi-layered square with a rectangular flap on each side.
Importantly, also notice that there are now pockets on all four sides of the central square of your unit.
You can confirm this by gently prying open the layers of paper on each side of the square unit.
To assemble the cube, we will be tucking in the loose, rectangular flaps into these pockets.
Use this opportunity to check if your sides have, indeed, been folded accurately.
Your unit is complete.
PHASE 2: FOLD MORE SIMILAR UNITS
Repeat steps 1 to 10 5 more times so you have 6 similarly shaped units to work with.
You can place your units under a book if preferred. This will let the creases settle into place, helping with the assembly and giving the cube a neater look.
Explanation:
First look at one of your folded units.
*1 It has a central square with a flap on two sides. It resembles a table or desk that is lying upside-down. Make sure you can identify the central square as the flat area of each unit.
*2 In the instructions that follow, you will be working with, on the one hand, the central square and, on the other, what we have termed the two flaps of each unit.
*3 All the loose flaps of the units should stand up at a 90 degree angle to the central square, since this is how your cube will be formed into a three-dimensional shape.
*4 Keep in mind that each central square will make up a side of the cube. So, when assembling the model, remember that the central squares should always be on the outside with the flaps facing inwards toward the inside of the model.
Phase 3: Assembling your model
Please note: The method below is only one way to assemble this type of cube. You are welcome to use any method you are used to or prefer.
Step 11
Hold the first unit in your left hand with the flaps at the top and bottom.
Hold the second unit in the right hand with the flaps at the left and right.
Now, slightly open the right side of unit 1 and slide the left flap of unit 2 into it.
It is fine to let unit 2 lie flat on the table for now.
Step 12
Take unit 3 and hold it with the flaps at the top and bottom.
Now, slightly open the top pocket of unit 2 and slide the bottom flap of unit 3 into it.
All 3 units will now be loosely connected and will still be flat on the table.
Step 13
This is the point where you will change your flat model into a 3D shape by connecting units 1 and 3.
So, to do this, simply bring both units 1 and 3 into an upright position in relation to the table and tuck in the right flap of unit 1 into the left pocket of unit 3.
Unit 2 will remain flat on the table and you will have created a half-cube of 3 units.
The half cube will have 3 flaps and 3 pockets where you will add the remaining units.
Step 14
Hold unit 4 with the flaps on the left and right and slide it into the right pocket of unit 3.
The flap of unit 2 will slide into the bottom of unit 4.
Step 15
Hold unit 5 with the flaps at the top and bottom and slide it into the bottom pocket of unit 2.
Step 16
Once unit 5 is in its place, tuck in the flaps on its left and right to form the fifth side of the cube.
Step 17
Lastly, hold unit 6 with its flaps to the left and right and place it on top of the almost-completed structure.
The flaps of unit 6 will be tucked down into the pockets on the left and right, while the remaining two flaps will in turn be tucked into the pockets of unit 6.
Step 18
It is important to pinch all the edges and corners of this cube from the outside once it has been assembled. If you have folded accurately, the edges will line up and merge neatly. If, however, you are not happy with your first try of folding this model, don't give up. Try again. It will help you improve your folding skills, ensuring a neat creation.
ALTERNATIVE MODEL:
To make a box with a hinged lid,
Step 1
Fold the Kase Cube up until Step 16.
Step 2
Now, take unit 6 and insert one of its flaps into the pocket furthest away from you.
Step 3
Once it is secured, two options are suggested for a closure, though there may likely be more.
Closure 1
With unit 6 secured furthest away from you, leave the left and right flaps to hang loose on the inside of the box.
Close the box by tucking in the flap nearest you.
In this case, you will have to mark the lid, so that the recipient knows which of the faces they should lift. The left and right flap will already be open if this method is used.
Closure 2
With unit 6 secured furthest away from you, bring the lid towards you.
You will be tucking in the left and right flaps into the sides of the lid, but instead of closing the cube in the normal way, let the final flap nearest you fold over and hang on the outside of the cube.
The box will be quite secure and it will be obvious to the recipient which face he or she may use to open the box.
When the overhanging flap is lifted, the left and right flaps will be dislodged as well, providing access to the inside of the box.
We hope you have fun folding an assembling this cube/box as much as we did with creating it.
Making origami accessible through text-only instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
This text - Copyright 2024 by accessorigami.com
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