Cicada

A traditional Japanese cicada, documented since c. 1845. It starts from a square sheet and uses only valley and mountain folds.

1. Get your paper ready.

   Lay a square sheet like a diamond, coloured side down and white side towards you.

   A 15 cm sheet is comfortable for practice.

2. Fold the diamond in half.

   Bring the bottom point up to the top point. You get a triangle with the right angle at the top and the coloured side on the outside.

   Line the two points up carefully before you crease.

3. Bring the left corner up.

   Fold both layers together: bring the left corner up to the top point. The crease runs from the middle of the base to the middle of the left edge.

   The corner lands on the point; the edge of the flap follows the centre line.

4. Bring the right corner up.

   Do the same on the other side: bring the right corner up to the top point, both layers together. You get a square standing on one point, with the two flaps in front.

   The tips of the two flaps meet at the top.

5. Fold the left wing.

   Take only the left flap, with its two layers, and fold its tip down and outwards. The crease runs from the centre line, just below its middle, to the upper left edge, a quarter of the way from the left corner. The tip sticks out past the lower left edge.

   Crease the flap only: the square behind it does not move.

6. Fold the right wing.

   Do the same with the right flap, towards the other side. Both tips should stick out by the same amount, one on each side.

   Compare the two wings: same length, same slant.

7. Fold down the tip of the front layer.

   The top point has two layers. Fold down only the front one, until its tip covers the wings a little.

   Hold the back layer with one hand so it stays still.

8. Fold down the tip of the back layer.

   Now fold the other layer along a slightly higher line. Its tip ends up in front of everything and leaves a strip of the previous layer showing.

   Keep the strip narrow: it is what shows the change of colour.

9. Fold down the top edge.

   Fold a short strip of the top edge down, through all the layers. This is the head. The crease stays above the wings.

   A short strip, about a finger wide.

10. Fold the left side behind.

    Fold the left corner behind, through all the layers, along a nearly vertical line that runs just outside the wing and leans slightly towards the centre at the bottom. The wing stays whole.

    This is a mountain fold: the paper goes behind, away from you.

11. Fold the right side behind.

    Do the same on the other side, along an identical line, so the two sides match.

    Compare both sides before you go on.

12. Your cicada is ready.

    You have a cicada seen from the front, with the head at the top and the wings below. You can adjust the sides to taste.

    If a fold springs open, crease it again with your fingernail.