How to Make an Origami Ninja Star

The ninja star, or “shuriken“, is an ancient ninja weapon. It’s also a great origami model!



Let’s take a look at how to make an origami ninja star…

This is a simple modular origami model, so you’ll need two pieces of paper, with dimensions of 2×1 (one side is twice as long as the other).
The easiest way to get these is to take a regular square of origami paper and cut or tear it in half along the centre line. I prefer to crease it well in both directions, dampen the edge and then carefully tear, but you might find scissors easier.

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Once you’ve got two 2×1 pieces, fold them in half so that you they are are 4×1 in size. To create a two-tone ninja star like this one, fold one sheet with a mountain fold and the other with a valley fold. You could also use two different coloured sheets.

Now fold these in half vertically, so you’re back to 2×1 pieces. Crease, then unfold to the previous step.

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Fold the bottom half of one piece diagonally up to meet the crease from the previous step.

Turn the piece 180 degrees and repeat. You should end up with a zig-zag shape.

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Repeat with the other piece, but fold in the opposite direction so that you create a mirror-image of the first piece.

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Turn both pieces over.

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Now fold the outsideedges in to meet the vertical lines on the back of each piece.. You want to end up with two triangular shapes together.

Make sure that both pieces are still mirror images.

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Fold the outer part across the vertical line you used in the previous step. You should now have two mirror-image parallelograms.

Turn one piece over, and partially unfold the last step so you have two points facing upwards on one piece, and down on the other piece. Cross the pieces over.

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Now fold a point from the bottom piece across the top piece. Tuck it into the pocket in the middle of the top piece.

Do the same with the other bottom point.

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Flip the pieces over.

Tuck in both remaining points from the piece that’s now on the bottom into the top piece.

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Now enjoy your completed origami ninja star!



The model is very well balanced and will fly well if thrown quickly.

Please don’t throw it at people or animals!