Origami Ryujin 35 Tutorial Upd Instant
The biggest complaint I received was that the body scales "explode" when you move to the tail. The updated tutorial introduces a temporary "scotch tape stitch" — a reversible technique using low-tack masking tape to hold the scales flat while you work on the dorsal spines.
Unlike simpler models, the Ryujin 3.5 cannot be folded from standard kami (6-inch paper).
The Ryujin's head is distinct from other dragons (like the Bahamut) because of its prominent whiskers and horns.
If you fail the collapse on your first (or fifth) try, save the crumpled paper. Frame it. The Ryujin 3.5 is as much about sculpting patience as it is about shaping scales.
Let me know in the comments which section still trips you up. I am planning a live Q&A fold-along next Saturday to tackle the tail taper specifically. origami ryujin 35 tutorial upd
Fold hard. Fold true.
Tags: #OrigamiRyujin #SatoshiKamiya #AdvancedOrigami #TutorialUpdate #DragonOrigami #OrigamiTutorial
Ryujin 3.5 , designed by master Satoshi Kamiya, is widely considered one of the most complex origami models in existence. Folding it is less of a hobby and more of a marathon, often requiring a sheet of paper at least 1.1 to 1.5 meters square and taking anywhere from 60 hours to three full weeks to complete. The Journey of the Dragon
The process of "putting together" this legendary Eastern dragon follows a rigorous path: The Preparation : You cannot use standard paper. Folders typically use double tissue kraft paper The biggest complaint I received was that the
(around 170cm) to handle the thousands of overlapping folds. Pre-creasing
: This is the most grueling stage. You must lay down a massive grid (often 96x96) and meticulously fold the creases for the 1,200+ scales , legs, and head before the actual shaping begins. The Collapse
: Once the paper is a maze of lines, you "collapse" it. This involves pushing the paper together so it folds along all those pre-made lines simultaneously, forming the base of the body and limbs. The Head & Legs : These are the "hard steps." Tutorial creators like FearlessFlourish
provide multi-part guides specifically for the complex neck twists and leg scale shaping. Color: Traditional Ryujin are Red, Green, or Gold
: The final touch where you use tweezers and clips to give the dragon its organic, lifelike curves and menacing posture.
For a condensed look at the staggering amount of work required to go from a flat sheet to a finished dragon:
The 2025 approach to shaping is radically different. Old tutorials had you shape during collapse. The updated method uses Post-Collapse Sculpting.