Wizard – designed by Satoshi Kamiya

Has taken a really long break from folding and now I’m back. So I will take on this  simple model first, the Wizard, designed by Satoshi Kamiya. The instruction can be found in his book, entitled “Work of Satoshi Kamiya“.

This time I have used a near 90 gram art paper for the model. The paper is a bit thick but tough, therefore it is better to fold a bigger size model. So instead of the recommended size of 35 cm x 35 cm, I used a 50 cm x 50 cm.

I have chosen this paper because the final pose of the model is in a slightly lean forward upright fashion, so a tough paper will be able to hold the weight without using wire for reinforcement.

After 42 steps of pre-creasing, this will be the final CP before the actual folding,

CP of Wizard

I mentioned that is a simple model and the folding steps are pretty straight forward. In no time, a rough model of the Wizard is formed.

Folded model before shaping

The only time you might run into problem is during the shaping of the hands and the staff. The thickness of the paper really give a hard time for proper forming. Almost wanted to use the pliers to soften the paper to form the staff.  But the over results is not too bad. The free play for sculpting the face (nose and beard) give individual folder a unique flavor to their models.

View from the top left

Right side view of the Wizard

Front View of the Wizard

Ryujin 1.2 – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (1)

Finally I am gonna start the first step towards folding the most complex model ever designed —  The Ryujin by Satoshi Kamiya.   Ryujin (龍神) is a Japanese phrase meaning “God of Dragon” and Satoshi has created the ultimate model that aptly fit to hold the title.

To date, Satoshi has designed 3 versions of Ryujin and all are published in the form of crease pattern (CP). The versions are actually the evolution of his design from the simplest (version 1.2), then the intermediate (version 2.1) and the most difficult (version 3.5).

Being engineering trained,  I am taking this exercise systematically  and will start from the simplest version — Ryujin 1.2, in order to familiarize with the design.

The first thing to do is to generate the CP. I uses the Autodesk 2D drafting software, AutoCAD, to draw the CP and later plotted it out on HP plotter. I like to use this method to generate CP because you can control the precise measurement for all the crease line. Another advantage of using the drafting package for drawing the CP is the scale feature, where you can plot the CP to any size within the limit of the plotter paper. But you still can fold model bigger than the plotter paper by plotting the CP in 4 quaters and then join the paper to form a large sheet. The only drawback so far is the models is only white in color. After about 1 hr of drafting and checking, my first Ryujin 1.2 CP is plotted on standard plotting paper (about 80 gram) measured 42cm square.

CP of Ryujin 1.2 plotted on HP DesignJet

The crease pattern looks pretty straight forward, so I did not spend much time planning and started folding right away…. Big Mistake.  I manage to figure out how to fold the body, tail and legs, but when it comes to the dragon head, I just cannot seems to get it right.

Almost there… but still far from finish

So I decided to cut up the CP into smaller portion for test folding just the dragon head…. divide and conquer.

CP of dragon head of Ryujin 1.2

The head design is not as straight forward as it appears. After 2 failed attempt on folding the head and tenths of hours of research in the internet, I finally manage to get the rough shape of the dragon head.

The dragon head — Ryujin 1.2

One thing I find lacking in all the CP available in the internet is the specification of mountain-valley fold line. So I decided to put in these detail into the CP for reference, and here is the M-V lines for the dragon head.

Tracing of the Mountain-Valley fold lines of the dragon head of Ryujin 1.2

Now need to plot a new CP to re-fold the Ryujin 1.2 again….

Cerberus 1.1 – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (3)

Folding the 3 dog heads seems to be the biggest challenge for this model, but no one would expect the next part of the model is equally difficult…. folding of the foot.

The in-out folds of the front leg gets a bit confusing at first and I have to fold and unfold 3 times before I finally got the in-out fold sequence. Then the next is to form the 4 toes on each foot. The diagram show a big and clear foot drawing which look so simple and direct to fold. But only the folder knows that the actually foot is so much smaller and folding the toes is virtually impossible by just using bare finger nails. Hence I have to bring out the pair of tweezers to help pinch out the toe one by one.

The front left leg

New the not so good  news is…. I have to do it 2 times.

Folding the pair of hind legs is a more straight forward routine. Then comes the part  where you have to put your creativity to work – shaping. Again, to get the model into stay in the pose I wanted, cloths peg were used to ‘pinch’ and hold the various part in position.

After an overnight of ‘setting’, this is my final model of the Cerberus…

Cerberus – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (Side view)

Cerberus – designed by Satoshi Kamiya

Cerberus 1.1 – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (2)

Continue from the last post, the next 10 odds steps is just as easy. But the intermediate figure looks more like a seal than anything else.

Completion of the Base

I’m so excited when it comes to step 95 as this is going to the start of folding the fierce looking dog head. The open sink to form the various layer for the ears, eyes, nose and teeth are still manageable. You will find it very satisfying by the time you completed the upper jaw and nose.

Semi-completed dog head

By the time you finished the lower jaw at step 119, a highly detail dog head appears right before your eyes. Then you realized that you will have to fold the same tedious steps two times over again!!

Close up on the first finished dog head

Finally with much determination, I complete the other 2 dog heads.

  Completion of the 3 dog heads

That it leave me with only the 4 legs to deal with.  : )

Cerberus 1.1 – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (1)

This model was published in Tanteidan Convention 15. This is a annual publication by the Origami House, which show case original origami models by Japanese and design all over the world.

The Cerberus is a mythical creature described in the Greek and Roman literature as a multi-headed hound which guards the gate of the underworld.  The most popular version of the Cerberus is a 3 headed dog, but there are others sources claiming to have more.

The Cerberus model designed by Satoshi depicts the 3 headed version. Therefore compared to other models, it is 3 times more difficult as every details on the head design would have to repeat folding 3 times!

I am using brown paper to fold this model. Do not be folded by the boring outlook of this humble papyrus use mostly for packing parcels in local post office. It turns out to be more resilience to the folding torture which this complex model have to offer. As usual, the 31 steps are basically ‘precision creasing’.

Creasing on the brown paper…

Model collapsing in the next 6 steps is not much of a challenge to many by now.

The simple ones…

By the next 40 steps, the paper has reduced to only about 1/8 of the paper size with all of them folded nicely in between the layers.

Side view of Step 72

Ancient Dragon – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (2)

Continue to where I left it, another 33 steps later, the model still looks very far from finish…

After all the sinks and collapse…

Not until a 100 steps later, you finally see the body, wings and feet….

Ancient Dragon…. starts to take shape

By step 264, the model is almost complete, just need to be shaped properly. But the paper I used is way too thin and soft, such that the shaping does not stay in position. I have to bring in the pegs to hold it is shape….

Ancient Dragon…. almost there

Now the last step will be the shaping… and I know this is not gonna to be easy and will take some time….

Minotaur – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (2)

If you look closely, there are many fine detail in folding the Minotaur.  For intance, the simple reverse folding of a patel fold forms a pretty neat hoof of the Minotaur.

Nice little hoof on the Minotaur

After folding down the arms, it looks more like a bird with a pair of horns.

Minotaur – before shaping

Now come the shaping. Using Kraft paper does give you the solid structure for the model, but it is hell when come to shaping. Need to hold it in position with cloth pegs over night. The whole model look like an injured bird under operation.

Minotaur under ‘operation’

Finally completed the shaping of the bull head.  Really have to take my hat off for the details designed into the folding of the head.

Close up on the detailed head

This model was designed to have a pair of very strong arm, but the legs are pretty soft and weak. It took me quite some time to ‘stand’ the model up for this proper photo shot.

Minotaur – Standing Position

Finally I give up. As the model keeps toppling forward, I found that putting it in a push-up position is more convenient.

Minotaur – Pushup Position

Minotaur – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (1)

Satoshi has created numerous models of Greek Mythological creature, and the Minotaur is one of them. The original Minotaur suppose to spot a human body with a bull head, but many artist has humanized it except for the legs, which still ends with a hoof. This the same as the Minotaur model created by Satoshi.

I have use a thicker Kraft paper to fold this model, thinking that the model need a strong paper to hold up the final structure.  After the first 80 steps of creasing and folding and collapsing, this is what you should get…

The unadventurous first 80 steps…

If you did not see the final diagram, by step 114, you might think you are folding a bird….

Front view of step 114

Rear view of Step 114

Ancient Dragon – designed by Satoshi Kamiya (1)

Whenever one mentioned Satoshi’s work, Ancient Dragon would be on top of the list. How can any origami enthusiast miss out on this classical folding challenge. (you can find the instruction in the book: Works of Satoshi Kamiya 1995 – 2003)

The first thing to do is to get a big sheet of thin paper. Remember the Large paper I mentioned the other day, it s just right for a good size to fold this model.

The large paper salvaged from the packing material of IKEA’ s DIY furniture.

This paper is actually the packaing paper you would normally find in the DIY furniture purchased from IKEA. It is quite durable except it tends to stretch over time during folding and it become more difficult to fold accutrately in the later steps. This one I got measured 73cm square.

After all the creasing, folding, unfolding, collapsing, sinking…. this is what you will get at step 150….

Ancient Dragon at step 150

It looks pretty harmless from the photo, but mind you, this is a super complex model to fold and this is just the begining.

(… con’t Part 2)

Works of Satoshi Kamiya … 1995 – 2003

Works of Satoshi KAMIYA 1995 – 2003

Work of Satoshi Kamiya 1995- 2003, this is one of the many origmi book that a serious origami enthusiast must have.  There a total of 19 original models created by Satoshi documented in this book. The famous models include the Bahamut, Inoshishigami, Ancient dragon, Kirin, Smilodon, Wizard…. just to name a few.

The instruction is written in both English and Japanese for this publication, total of 228 pages. But the diagram is clear enough for experience folder even without the instructions. You can order it from Origami House, Japan, through online mail order.

Here is my copy of the book,  after I have folded the few models in it…. and now is in a very sorry state…. : p

My copy of the “Works of Satoshi Kamiya 1995- 2003”

There are a total of 19 models presented in this book:

1. Carnotaurus
2. Eagle Ray
3. Splash!
4. Pegasus
5. Hercules Beetle
6. Divine Dragon (Bahamut)
7. Kirin
8. Tyrannosaurus
9. Inoshishigami
10. Barosaurus
11. Unicorn
12. The Yellow Bird
13. Blue Whale
14. Smilodon
15. Coelophysis
16. Orca
17. Wizard
18. Ancient Dragon
19. Mammuthus