Ryujin 3.5 , designed by Satoshi Kamiya, is widely considered one of the most complex origami models in the world. Because of its massive scale and intricate detail (including hundreds of individual scales), choosing the right paper is the most critical first step. Recommended Paper Types
The model requires paper that is extremely thin yet strong enough to withstand thousands of creases without tearing. Double Tissue
: Many experts use double tissue paper treated with methyl cellulose (MC) for extra strength and "memory". Kraft Paper
: A popular choice for beginners or large-scale practice because it is durable and available in large rolls. Some folders find standard kraft slightly too thick for the finest details. Sketching/Tracing Paper : Lightweight papers under are often recommended for their thinness. Specialty Origami Paper : Large sheets (e.g., from Origami-Shop ) in 50cm to 100cm squares are common. Size and Specifications Ideal Size : A square of at least 100cm to 144cm
(roughly 3.3 to 4.7 feet) is recommended for a first successful attempt. Grid Requirements : The model is based on a 96x96 grid
. Folding a 96x96 grid on a 100cm sheet results in scales only a few millimeters wide. Custom Sheets origami ryujin 3.5 tutorial
: If large enough single sheets aren't available, folders often glue multiple smaller squares (like 50cm or 70cm sheets) together using Elmer's glue or MC to create the necessary dimensions. Key Tutorials and Resources
There is no single "official" video tutorial for the entire 100+ hour process, but several reputable folders have broken it down into parts:
The Ryujin 3.5, designed by Satoshi Kamiya, is widely considered the "Holy Grail" of origami. Folding this masterpiece isn't just a craft—it’s an endurance test that spans weeks or even months. Here is the "story" of a typical journey through a full Ryujin 3.5 tutorial. Phase 1: The Ritual of Preparation
The journey begins not with folding, but with the hunt for the right materials. To survive the thousands of creases required, ordinary paper won't work. Folders often spend days preparing a massive 2-meter square of Wenzhou rice paper or O-gami, treated with Methyl Cellulose (MC) to make it thin, crisp, and resilient. This stage is about patience; if the paper isn't perfect, the dragon will literally tear itself apart before completion. Phase 2: The Grid of Madness
Before a single scale appears, the folder must pre-crease a massive grid—usually 96x96 or even 128x128. This stage is hypnotic and exhausting. For hours, the folder does nothing but fold and unfold parallel lines, creating a geometric blueprint. This grid is the "skeleton" that allows the complex body and legs to eventually collapse into shape. Phase 3: The Rising Scales Ryujin 3
This is where the dragon gains its skin. In many tutorials like those by Origambel, this is described as the most tedious yet rewarding part. Each of the hundreds of scales must be individually tucked and shaped. Some artists use "fast methods" involving tools like X-Acto knives or toothpicks to poke and tuck the paper into tiny, curved pockets. Phase 4: The Great Collapse
The most dramatic moment is the Leg Collapse. The folder must manipulate the pre-creased grid so that the flat paper suddenly bunches and transforms into three-dimensional limbs and a serpentine body. This step is "Making the Impossible," as the paper becomes thick and difficult to manage. Phase 5: The Soul in the Details
The story ends with the head—the most intricate part of the model, featuring eyes, teeth, and horns. The final "shaping" involves using tweezers and wire to pose the dragon in a dynamic, swirling position. When finished, the folder has transformed a single square of paper into a legendary beast, a process that represents the pinnacle of human patience and precision.
Watch these expert guides to master the preparation, scale shaping, and complex collapses required for the Ryujin 3.5:
Before diving into a "tutorial," you must understand the beast you are hunting. The Ryujin (Japanese for "Dragon God") 3.5 is a composite model featuring over 1,000 scales, a serpentine body, six legs, branching horns, and a flowing mane. It is folded from a single, uncut square of paper. What is the Origami Ryujin 3
Unlike a traditional origami crane (22 steps), the Ryujin 3.5 has thousands of steps. Consequently, standard diagrams do not exist in book form. The only official "diagram" is a Crease Pattern (CP) — a blueprint showing every single fold line laid flat.
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.
You should already be comfortable with:
Every great tessellation begins with a grid. For the Ryujin 3.5, you will likely be working with a 32x32 or 48x48 grid, depending on the specific diagram variation you are following.
This phase is mental. It is repetitive and tedious.
The Ryujin 3.5 has a repeating scale pattern along its back. To shape them:
Tutorial shortcut: Do not shape all scales at once. Shape the scales on the first 10cm of the tail. Stop. Walk away. Come back tomorrow.