How to Make an Origami Imoseyama Cranes

ByFlorent Fabre

Designer: Traditional/Unknow

The origami Imoseyama cranes are two birds that share one sheet of paper, joined wing to wing and never meant to come apart.

Folders in Japan have been making connected cranes, or renzuru, for well over two centuries. The oldest instructions we have for them sit in a book from 1797 called Hiden Senbazuru Orikata, the earliest known book about origami as a pastime rather than ceremony. Some of its models chain a dozen birds together or more, which makes Imoseyama the modest one at just a pair.

Difficulty: Easy – Beginner level 5
Folding time: 20 minutes

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Author Florent Fabre

Hi, I’m Flo, and I’m the hands behind Origami.me.

After spending more than five years immersed in Japanese culture, I slowly fell in love with origami and the quiet focus that comes with folding paper. What started as simple curiosity became a real passion, not only for the art itself, but also for the calm, creativity, and mindfulness it brings to everyday life.

Today, I create tutorials, work with origami artists from around the world, and help beginners discover that anyone can learn origami, one fold at a time.

Designer Traditional/Unknow

Traditional origami refers to classic models that are timeless, widely known, and/or have no known creator. Usually passed down through generations, they belong to everyone and form the foundation of modern origami.

Diagrammer Jimena Candia

I'm Jimena Candia from Firmat (Santa Fe), Argentina. I've been an origamist for several years. I also design origami models, hold workshops, and create diagrams. I've joined international virtual meetings like the Origami USA virtual convention and OWM4. I've taught origami for 12 years, both online and in person. What strikes me most about the art of origami is that you never stop learning. Origami shows that creativity has no limits.