Totoro Time: Super Simple Origami (with Scissors)

By: Stephanie Mayeda, GVJCI Social Media & Community Outreach Intern

Origami ("ori" meaning "folding" and "kami" meaning "paper") is the popular Japanese art form of paper folding that has been around since the Edo Period (1603-1867).  Origami is still widely practiced to this day and is a common activity for children of all ages as well as adults. Here at the GVJCI, our interns have done a lot of origami decorations for our various events. They add a nice pop of color to any location and are even more fun to make! 

For our Yatai Food Festival last August, our interns made a paper crane chandelier to hang above our beer garden!

Today we're going to be making a very simple Totoro origami.  For those who may not be familiar with Totoro, he is a forest spirit from Hayao Miyazaki's 1988 film, Tonari No Totoro.  He still enjoys great popularity, even almost thirty years later.  Let's learn how to make one!

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Step-by-Step:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

STEP 5

STEP 7

STEP 9

Step 4

STEP 6

Flip the shape from step 5 upside down. 

STEP 8

STEP 10

Use scissors to cut out the shape of the ears.

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You're all done! Now go enjoy your Totoro origami!