How to Fold a Traditional Origami Box – Masu Box
These instructions will show you how to make an origami box also known as a masu box.
Masu boxes were originally square wooden boxes used to measure portions of rice during the feudal period in Japan. Masu boxes came in all kinds of different sizes ranging from about 0.18 L all the way to as big as 18 L.
This paper version is quite easy to fold and makes a perfect little box to hold small items like paper clips, candy, or whatever you want.
The paper should lock together and hold its shape pretty well when you’re finished. If you find that you have a flip or two that keep sticking out at the bottom of the inside of the box, it’s completely fine to use a bit of tape or glue to hold them down.
If you fill the boxes with something, that’ll hold everything down nicely as well.
Are you ready to create an origami box? Let’s get started.
Step 1) Start with a square sheet of paper with the white side facing up. Fold the paper in half horizontally. Crease it well and then unfold it.
Step 2) Fold the paper in half vertically. Crease it well and then unfold it.
Step 3) Fold the corner of the paper to the center. You’ll do this on each of the 4 corners.
Step 4) Fold the next corner to the center of the model.
Step 5) Fold the next corner to the center of the model.
Step 6) Fold the final corner to the center of the model.
Step 7) Rotate the model 45 degrees so it’s square again.
Step 8) Fold the top part of the model along the dotted line to the center.
Step 9) Fold the bottom part of the model along the dotted line to the center.
Step 10) Crease both these folds very well and then unfold them.
Step 11) These next 2 steps technically aren’t necessary, but they make 2 later steps slightly easier. Fold the left part of the model along the dotted line to the center.
Step 12) Fold the right part of the model along the dotted line to the center.
Step 13) Crease both these folds very well and then unfold them.
Step 14) Unfold the top and bottom triangles of the paper.
Step 15) Fold the right side of the model to the center along the dotted line. Part of this crease is already here, which will make it a bit easier.
Step 16) Fold the left side of the model to the center along the dotted line.
Step 17) Slowly pull the model open at the top, following the dotted lines. The creases here are already made.
Step 18) When you pull the model open, it should take a shape that looks like this. The creases are all already made, so everything should fall into place.
Step 19) Fold the flap of paper down along the dotted line that intersects the two triangles. This will form the edge of the box. Fold the top triangle of paper up a little bit to fit into place at the bottom of the box.
Step 20) Fold the other side of the box now along the existing creases as you did in steps 17 and 18. The paper should fall into place and give you a shape, just like in step 18.
Step 21) Fold the top flap of paper down along the dotted line to form the edge of the box. Fold the top triangle of paper up a little bit to also fit into the bottom of the box, just like in step 19.
The completed traditional origami box or masu box.
If you want to fold a lid for your box, you have a couple of options. First, you can simply use slightly larger paper and fold the lid exactly the same way you did the box itself.
This can be a bit difficult, especially if you’re using standard origami paper like kami where each piece you have is exactly the same size.
The other option you have is to fold the box again but in steps 3, 4, 5, and 6 where you fold the corners of the paper don’t fold them all the way to the centre.
This will result in a shape that looks like the image below at the end of step 6.
Then continue to fold the model following the steps above just like you did before. Fold the paper to the center when it asks you for the following steps.
This will give you a slightly larger box that makes a perfect lid. The triangle flaps in the bottom of the box don’t stay in place as well as they do for the bottom so feel free to just use a tiny piece of tape or some glue to hold them there.
If you close the box by putting the lid over the bottom it’ll hold its shape very nicely even without tape or glue.
How did you do? Post a photo of your box in the comments because we’d love to see it!
If you need help or clarification with any of these steps feel free to ask in the comments as well.
I've been into origami for quite some time now, and I've been teaching it here on Origami.me for over 13 years. My other hobbies include martial arts, travel, video games and Go. I'm also the author of Everyone Can Learn Origami. You should definitely check it out!
Similar Posts
How to Make an Easy Origami Penguin Face
These instructions will show you how to make an easy origami penguin face. If you’re new to paper folding you may want to take a quick look at our Beginner’s Guide which will show you all the basic folds and techniques. Step 1) Fold and unfold the paper in half both ways. Step 2) Fold the top of the…
How to Make an Easy Origami Cabbage
These instructions will show you how to make an easy origami cabbage. If you’ve never folded anything before we suggest you take a moment to review our Beginner’s Guide which will teach you all the basic folds and techniques. Step 1) Fold the paper in half and then unfold it. Step 2) Make a Pleat Fold on both sides…
How to Make an Easy Origami Chair
These instructions will show you how to fold a simple origami chair. This is a traditional origami model. If you’re just starting out with paper folding we recommend that you take a moment to review our Beginner’s Guide which will teach you all the basic folds and bases. Step 1) Fold and Unfold the paper in half both…
How to Fold an Easy Origami Boat
These instructions will teach you how to fold a very easy origami boat. If you’re just starting out we do recommend you check out our Beginner’s Guide to learn all the basics first. Step 1) Fold and Unfold the paper in half diagonally both ways. Step 2) Fold the top of the paper down to the centre. Step 3) Fold…
How to Make an Easy Origami Flying Squirrel
These instructions will show you how to fold an easy origami flying squirrel from a single square of paper. If you’ve never folded anything before we recommend you check out our Beginner’s Guide first which will teach you all the basic folds and techniques. Step 1) Fold and unfold the paper in half both ways. Step 2) Fold the…
How to Fold a Very Easy Origami Crab
These diagrams will show you how to fold a very easy origami crab. If this is your first time folding something we recommend you check out our Beginner’s Guide first to learn all the basic folds and techniques. Step 1) Fold the paper in half. Step 2) Fold the paper in half again. Step 3) Open up the top flap…
This box is really good and I give it a 5 out of 5 stars.
Origami Guide
Origami Instructions – Learn How To Make Origami
Origami Boxes
Learn how to make an origami box, we have a large selection of origami boxes ranging from easy to advanced. You will find the perfect origami box to use for your gift or storage.
An origami box is the perfect solution when you need to give a handmade gift, as store bought boxes just don’t have that handmade feeling.
Whether you are looking to make a gift box or find a storage solution, we have many origami boxes to choose from here.
How To Make Origami Boxes
Choose which of our origami boxes you'd like to make..
Level: Easy-Intermediate
Copyright: Traditional
Level: Easy
Copyright: Unknown
Copyright: Paolo Bascetta
More Origami Boxes tutorials coming soon!
Popular origami:.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Crease it well and then unfold it. Step 2) Fold the paper in half vertically. Crease it well and then unfold it. Step 3) Fold the corner of the paper to the center. You’ll do this on each of the 4 corners. Step 4) Fold the next corner to the center of the model. Step 5) Fold the next corner to the center of the model.
Origami Boxes. Learn how to make an origami box, we have a large selection of origami boxes ranging from easy to advanced. You will find the perfect origami box to use for your gift or storage. An origami box is the perfect solution when you need to give a handmade gift, as store bought boxes just don’t have that handmade feeling.