Shibaraku Head – designed by Hojyo Takashi

Shibaraku – a simple Japanese phrase which literally means “wait for a moment”. But it’s a daily use phrase in Japan when you just want everyone to sudden stop and have all attention focus on you or something. It has a similar effect like the English language “just hold on for a moment” or “waitha’ minute”.

But this phrase has crept its way to the famous Japanese theater show (or Kabuki, something like Shakespeare’s  play write) and now is a must see for every Kabuki performance. It didn’t originate from any of the Kabuki main program, but from the interlude between the main show.  These interlude is mainly on stories of a samurai named Kamakura Gongorō Kagemasa.  This theatrics character is often dressed in elaborate samurai outfit, strong highlight makeup with red-and-white stripes, and move on stage with high energy. And When he make his entrance to the stage, he will release out a loud cry “… Shibaraku!!”. (full details of Shibaraku can be found in these 2 links. Link1 , Link2)

“Shibaraku!”, cried Kamakura Gongorō Kagemasa

Takashi has designed an origami model just to capture the exact spirit of this character. He first release the CP of the full Shibaraku model in Origami Tanteidan Magaxine (issue #59 in 2000).

Pg 34 of Origami Tanteidan Magazine issue#59 – CP challenge of Shibaraku

After a good 10 years, Takashi finally release the full folding instruction of the head of this famous samurai in Origami Tanteidan Magazine (issue #119 in 2010).

Head of Shibaraku full folding instructions in Origami Tanteidan Magazine

Folding the head design is pretty straight forward. Not much tips I can provide here but do drop me a note if you still find it difficult to get through some of the steps.

Here is my presentation of the iconic model of Takashi….

Shibaraku Head – designed by Hojyo Takashi

Geistkämpfer – designed by Hojyo Takashi (3)

The base model of the Geistkämpfer is already a piece of art by itself even before the shaping. But it does not seems to be alive. Shaping really does wonder to the origami model. It breathes life into the model.

There are already many folded models of Geistkampfer can be found in the web. Therefore you can take reference on how to shape them tastefully. I particularly like the detail for the hand holding the bow, where the thumb and 4 fingers can be clearly shaped out.

Details on the hand holding the bow

I did something different for the ‘pull over’ on the right shoulder. I opened up the pleat and formed a broad sleeves over the right arm with arrow.

Broad sleeve over the right arm with arrow

Shaping the Geistkämpfer  figure is really no easy task. I have tried a few possible pose but the arms just do not stay in shape. Finally, I have to reinforce the structure with metal wire in order to keep the model in shape for the photo shoot.

Geistkampfer – In flight (outdoor)

Geistkampfer – in flight (indoor)

Geistkampfer – Standing pose

Enjoy.

Geistkämpfer – designed by Hojyo Takashi (2)

After figuring out the CP at various section, I prepared myself a 64cm square brown paper and started pleating.

The 64cm square brown paper for Geistkämpfer

For the first good few hours, its really not much fun. You have to divide the paper in to a 64×64 square grid. But its good training for patience.

The 64 longitudinal divisions….

The first section I tackle is the pair of feet. This is folded in conjunction with the trimming of the gown.

Starting edge of the trimming of the gown

Completed the pair of feet…

After folding the feet, it was set aside for a night with cloths peg to keep it in shape.

Keeping the fold in order

With the practice fold done earlier, it is quick to know the paper have to be halved breath-wise in order to fold the pair of wings. So it took me less than normal time to complete the wings.

Wings and Legs!!

Next come the tough part, to separate the double layered wings  in order to fold the crease-band gather for the waist and upper torso. This is a very delicate operation as you don’t want to open up the doubled layered wings too much.

The delicate ‘zig-zag’ fold

After you are done with the bottom crease band, there is another other one on the top portion! (my eye got crossed after staring too long at these zig-zag folds ). Finally completed the 2 rolls of zig-zag fold and tidy up the paper for the upper torso.

tidy up the paper to fold the upper torsor

Folding the upper torso starts with the arm with arrow….

Folding of the arm with arrow

Moving into the full arm and towards the head….

Collapsing the arm in progress

Forming the centre body….

Collapsing to form the center body

Getting the base for head and both arm now….

The human form starts to take shape

Formation of the head….

Forming the ‘head’ of the angel

Almost complete the base, now only left with arm with bow….

Almost done with the base

Start of folding the bow…

Collapsing the arm with bow

Arm with bow collapsed into shape…

Need to hold the 2 tips of the bow together to collapse the fold properly

Finally the base model is completed.

Base of Geistkämpfer completed

Next will be the final touch ….  shaping .

Geistkämpfer – designed by Hojyo Takashi (3)

Geistkämpfer – designed by Hojyo Takashi (1)

I don’t think Hojyo Takashi need no further introduction by now. You can find 2 of his classic model in my blog (Violinst & Maitreya).

The Geistkämpfer model, or some may called it the angel with bow and arrow. So far I cannot find any folding instruction for the Geistkämpfer model, only Crease Pattern. In order to get a clearer reference CP, I redraw the CP in AutoCAD:

CP for Geistkämpfer…. generated using AutoCAD

This  is quite a cleverly designed model where it has a color change for the pair of folded wings, and this has also makes it pretty tricky to fold. In order not to make mistake on the folding, I broke the crease pattern in various section and folded them independently. This way I can afford to make lesser mistakes while folding the full model.

After 3 days of test folding, I have more or less worked out the folding for various sections (foot, wings, hand with arrow, hand with bow and the head).

Test folding the Geistkämpfer… in small section

Now all I need is to prepare a good size paper with 64×64 grid.

Geistkämpfer – designed by Hojyo Takashi (2)

Maitreya – designed by Hojyo Takashi

When it comes to ULTRA SUPER COMPLEX human form origami model designer in Japan, I would say Hojyo Takashi is among the best. His design now only captured the the human form in good proportion and anthropometric ratio, but also include much details to the human features.

The Maitreya model is a very early design published in Origami Tanteidan Convention Book Vol. 4 back in 1998.I first folded this model almost 10 years ago and was really excited and amaze on the intricacy of the design then. Hojyo more recent design has even move up another level now, but these model mostly are released in CP format. Hence to fold Hojyo’s model, the folder needs to be very experienced. (follow this link to see more of Hojyo’s work).

The Maitreya model is considered quite an easy model to fold. Folding the first 87 steps to get the base is less than 2 hrs job. Although there is a slight difficulty at step 17 and 18 (diagram seem to be misprinted), but it is not difficult to execute the necessary fold judging from the diagram before and after. Once finished step 94, this is what you get.

Base fold of Maitreya

Then come the next 12 steps which just guide you on shaping. Again, different folder will shape the model differently and my interpretation of  the model are as follows:

Maitreya – designed by Hojyo Takashi

The Violinist – designed by HOJYO Takashi (4)

Finally, the completed Violinist.

The solo Violinist

I admit this time I didn’t put in much effort to get a good paper for this first attempt. The model actually cracked at the violin base.

This reminds me that I should write something about the various paper use for origmi later.

The Violinist – designed by HOJYO Takashi (3)

After much ‘gathering’ of the crease together, what I got looks like a swiss army knife stucked to a chinese fan….

The folded model before sculpting

The next part will be the sculpting the figure…. and this is the main work which sets aside the difference between each folded model by difference folder.

The Violinist – designed by HOJYO Takashi (2)

Just in case you can’t see the crease on the paper clearly, this is what I have actually folded….

The Crease Pattern of the Violinist

Hang on, the collapsed figure is coming up soon…..

The Violinist – designed by HOJYO Takashi (1)

After looking at diagram, I think to myself, this should be a piece of cake…  all I need is to get a piece of large enough paper, so  I went to look for a piece of large paper.

Happen to find a piece of odd length plotter paper left behind in the printing room. Must have been the left over after the guys printed the  assembly drawings. Took it a square out a good size of about 50cmx50cm.

After testing my patient for the first 52 steps, this is what I got…

Creas Pattern of the Violinist

 I will show you how this piece of cake looks like in the next few days….