Origami Ryujin 3.5 Tutorial May 2026
Do not follow a video blindly. Follow this strategic order:
Tadashi Mori does not fold the whole thing, but his video on pre-creasing the 80x80 grid is the gold standard. He also demonstrates the "scale squash" better than anyone.
Completing the Ryujin 3.5 is an exhausting ordeal that can take anywhere from 15 to 30 hours depending on your skill level. You will encounter frustration. You will likely rip a scale or two. But when you hold the finished model—a majestic, serpentine dragon with a saw-toothed belly and sweeping horns—you will have achieved something permanent.
The tutorial is a map, but the journey is yours alone. Approach the paper with respect
Conquering the Dragon: A Guide to Folding Satoshi Kamiya’s Ryujin 3.5
The Ryujin 3.5, designed by legendary artist Satoshi Kamiya, is widely considered the "holy grail" of origami. With its hundreds of individual scales, intricate head, and four-clawed legs, it is a masterclass in complexity. If you are ready to tackle this mythical beast, follow this structured roadmap to navigate the process. 1. Preparation: The Paper is Everything
You cannot fold a Ryujin with standard paper. You need a sheet that is both incredibly thin and strong to withstand thousands of creases without tearing. Size: A square of at least
cm (approx. 40 inches) is recommended for your first attempt.
Type: Professionals often use "Washi Deluxe" or "O-Gami." You can also learn how to make giant origami paper by treating thin paper with Methyl Cellulose (MC).
Supplies: Keep an X-Acto knife or toothpick handy for shaping Ryujin scales, and small pegs or clips to hold sections in place during the collapse. 2. The Pre-Crease Marathon
The Ryujin is built on a grid. Before you do any "real" folding, you must spend dozens of hours pre-creasing. origami ryujin 3.5 tutorial
Grid Work: You will need to divide the paper into a massive grid (often or higher).
Scale Creasing: The bulk of the body is covered in scales. You can follow the Ryujin 3.5 Pre-Crease Tutorial Part 1 to start the initial lines.
Finishing the Foundation: Advanced tutorials like the Ryujin 3.5 Pre-crease Tutorial Part 5 walk you through the final creases needed for the bicep and head-neck connections before the collapse begins. 3. The Collapse: Bringing Form to the Flat
Collapsing is the process of pushing all your pre-creases together at once to create a 3D shape.
Body & Scales: This is a repetitive but zen-like process. Creators on TikTok often show the satisfaction of "clicking" these scales into place.
The Head & Legs: These are the most difficult sections. The Ryujin 3.5 Full Tail Collapse and head tutorials by creators like FearlessFlourish on YouTube are essential for visualizing these multi-layered sections. 4. Shaping and Assembly
Once the "base" is collapsed, the dragon will look like a thick, zig-zagging stick. Shaping gives it life.
Connecting the Body: If you folded the dragon in sections, you'll need to fully connect the body using wire for internal support and glue to secure the dorsal spines.
Final Details: Spend time on the head shaping details to define the eyes, horns, and whiskers that give the Ryujin its fierce personality.
For a comprehensive deep dive into every step, you can find the complete Ryujin 3.5 tutorial series on YouTube, which covers everything from the first fold to the final scale. Do not follow a video blindly
The Ryujin 3.5, designed by master Satoshi Kamiya, is widely considered the "Holy Grail" of complex origami. This legendary eastern dragon, featuring over 1,200 scales, is folded from a single, uncut square of paper. Completing this model is a monumental task that often requires 60 to 200+ hours of dedicated work. Preparation: The Foundation
Folding the Ryujin 3.5 starts long before you make the first crease. Because of its extreme complexity, choosing the right material is critical.
The Ryujin 3.5, designed by Satoshi Kamiya, is widely considered one of the most complex origami models ever created, often taking master folders over a month to complete from a single sheet of paper. There is no single "all-in-one" video for this model; instead, the process is broken down into highly technical stages: preparation, pre-creasing, and specific section collapses like the scales, head, and legs. 1. Preparation & Materials
Success with the Ryujin 3.5 begins with selecting the right paper. For a successful fold, experts recommend:
Paper Type: Use very thin, strong paper like double tissue or sketching paper under 60gsm.
Size: A square of at least 1.5 meters (150cm) per side is recommended, though some attempt it with 1.2 meters.
Grid: You must first divide the paper into a massive 96x96 grid.
Tools: Keep small clips and a pointy tool (like a toothpick or X-Acto knife) ready for shaping the thousands of scales. 2. Pre-Creasing (The Foundation)
This stage involves marking every single fold before the final "collapse."
Scales & Legs: You will need to pre-crease the complex diamond patterns for the leg scales and feet. Completing the Ryujin 3
Checkpoints: Many folders follow FoldingPhoenix's multi-part series which covers pre-creasing the scales in meticulous detail. 3. The Collapse (Assembly)
Once the paper is fully pre-creased, you begin the "collapse," where the flat sheet starts taking its 3D dragon form:
If you ask any veteran folder what the hardest part of the Ryujin is, they will likely say the scales. The dragon is covered in hundreds of tiny, individual scales.
The Grid: The Ryujin 3.5 requires a massive grid system (usually an 80x80 or 96x96 grid depending on the specific crease pattern variation you follow). This stage is purely mechanical.
Once the grid and scale pre-creasing are done, you must collapse the paper. The Ryujin uses a "box-pleating" technique.
The original CP for Ryujin 3.5 is available in Satoshi Kamiya’s book, Works of Satoshi Kamiya 2: 2002–2009. You can also find high-resolution scans of the CP online via origami forums (like the Origami Forum). The CP shows a grid of 80x80 divisions.
Since a standard step-by-step book doesn't exist, here is your official treasure map.
In the world of paper folding, there are simple cranes, there are complex insects, and then there is the Ryujin 3.5. Designed by the legendary Satoshi Kamiya, the Ryujin (Dragon God) is widely considered the "Holy Grail" of complex origami. It is a breathtaking display of scales, claws, wings, and a sinuous body that captures the power and elegance of an Eastern dragon.
If you have stumbled upon a photo of this masterpiece and thought, "I want to fold that," this tutorial guide is your starting line. Be warned: this is not a model for the faint of heart. It is a test of patience, precision, and perseverance.