How to Make an Origami Monkey

Have you ever folded an origami crane? This delightful origami Mascot Monkey, designed by Ms. Tomoko Fuse, is made using the same base and is not difficult to fold.

You’ll certainly fall in love with this monkey, but be careful. Just like the thousand paper cranes, you might end up folding a thousand origami monkeys!

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Tomoko Fuse for granting me permission to make this video showing you how to fold her charming paper creature. And my thanks also to Patsy Wang-Iverson who facilitated communication between myself and Ms. Fuse.

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Three Fun Facts About Monkeys

  1. Being primates, and our closest living relative in the animal kingdom, about 90% of the genetic makeup of monkeys and humans are similar.
  2. The Sanzaru (three wise monkeys or three mystic apes) is a pictorial maxim representing three monkeys revered in Japanese folklore. They represent the proverbial principle to “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”
  3. The Monkey is the ninth in the twelve-year cycle of animals in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.

Tips and suggestions for making the origami monkey

  • In the video, the monkey is demonstrated using “Kami” paper, a thin paper made specially for origami.
  • A good size to learn the model would be 8×8 inch (20×20cm).
  • All kinds of thin papers can be used to make this origami monkey. Regular office paper would make a good choice (make it at least 8 x 8 inches) or printed pages from old magazines or books are perfect.
  • The finished monkey shows only one side of the paper. It is not necessary to use paper with a different color on each side.
  • This origami monkey allows for some variations by changing the angle in which the arms are folded.

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10 thoughts on “How to Make an Origami Monkey”

  1. Hi Leyla,
    How delightful!
    I made mine from 6″ foil to strengthen the hands. Now I’m looking for a diagram of a barrel so I can play the “Barrel of Monkeys game”. It was popular in the 80’s.
    As always thank you for your clear and patient directions.
    Carol

    Reply
  2. Me encantó. Es re divertido plegarlo. Cuanta ternura expresa.
    Muchas gracias estimada Leyla por compartirlo. CARIÑOS.

    Reply
  3. Thank you so much, dear Leyla!
    As always your video is just perfect.
    I’ll fold the monkey tomorrow.
    Warm greetings from Germany.
    Toni

    Reply

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