I am quite fascinated with Tomoko Fuse's book 'Floral Origami Globes' and after completing the Butterfly Kusudama, I didn't waste much time, working on the next kusudama.

This kusudama is the Chrysanthemum Globe Kusudama, assembled from 60 rectangles. Each unit is assembled from 2 rectangles - a base and the chrysanthemum, inserted into the base.

The kusudama assembly is the basic sonobe assembly for 30-unit icosahedrons, but with a small difference. While the sonobe assembly is in a clock-wise direction (the pockets open to the right and the tabs go into these pockets), the chrysanthemum assembly is anti-clockwise - that is, the tabs are inserted into pockets that open to the left.

The chrysanthemum unit has multiple layers of paper in the central petal, so thin paper works better. I have used regular copy paper and had to be extra careful when folding it so that it did not tear in the middle.

Model Details:

Model: Chrysanthemum Globe Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Floral Origami Globes
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 4 inches by 2 inches

Model Size: ~5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

It has been quite a while since I folded modular origami and even longer since I folded any of Tomoko Fuse's amazing creations. This modular kusudama is the Butterfly Kusudama (Type III) and is from the book 'Floral Origami Globes'.

The model is made from 30 units and each unit is made from 2 rectangles. The fan-like section is folded into a base section to form 1 unit. I have glued the two parts of the fan, but as per the instructions, they are left as-is to represent the 2 wings of the butterfly.

Model Details:

Model: Butterfly Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Floral Origami Globes
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in the ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3 inches by 1.5 inches

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 60

The Origami Tornado Kusudama is a beautiful modular origami designed by Aldo Marcell, an amazing Nicaraguan origami artist. This model is assembled from 30 modules. It works best with duo-coloured paper. In recent days, I have developed a special fondness for purple/lavender colour combination and I went for the same combination again. And am quite happy with the way it has turned out!

The model reminds me of Enrica Drey's Dodecahedron Kusudama, which is made from 60 modules. But the change in colour in the Tornado beautifully brings out the swirls, which I like very much :)

Folding the individual modules was easy. But I did find that the assembly was more difficult than most other kusudamas I have folded. I had to use a lot more paper clips than usual! And finally I ended up gluing some of the more untameable bits down!

Model Details:

Model: Tornado 

Creator: Aldo Marcell

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

The Igel Kusudama is a modular origami designed by the amazingly creative Lukasheva Ekaterina. The model is assembled from 30 units. The units are east to fold and easy to assemble.

The model works best with duo-coloured paper, which I haven't used! For a single-sided paper, darker colours would work great, which I discovered to my dismay, when I assembled the model!  The shades of green that I have used, made the model a bit too dull. But nonetheless, it is a great model to fold.

The curls give a flowery appearance, which I liked very much. For a more angular version of the model, just stop before curling the little petals.

Model Details:

Model: Igel Kusudama 

Creator: Lukasheva Ekaterina

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: ~4.5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Instructions: Kusudama.me

Tutorial: Youtube 

While folding the origami Mina from my previous post, I realised that it resembled Mio Tsugawa's Arabesque. Except of course, that for the arabesque the flaps are curled to give that rounded, softer look and we do not do that for the mina.

That does not mean we cannot add those curls :) So that is what I did. And it turned out to be exactly like the arabesque. In fact, comparatively speaking, I found the mina easier to assemble than the arabesque.

For this model, I worked with shades of orange and I am quite delighted with the outcome. Since I had orange yarn, I ended up making a tassle and converted my kusudama into an ornament. The problem is, I am so in love with the ornament that I have no intention of hanging it anywhere and allowing it to get dull or dirty! So it is already packed and kept safe, to be taken out only for special occasions and exhibitions :)

Model Details:

Model: Mina 

Creator: Enrica Dray

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Diagram: Origami Modulari

One of my favourite modular origami is Tomoko Fuse's Little Turtle Kusudama. I had made them a couple of years back, using beautiful, vibrant paper.

I had a workshop coming up and wanted to remake this model, since my previous kusudamas have been distributed long back! While previously, I had using paper that had colourful flowers on a white background, this time I wanted to go with a softer tone. And I quite like the paper I have used - cream coloured paper with a gold pattern on it. I had bought this paper more than a year back and found it while going through my huge stack of paper. 

What say you? Does it look good? Or is it too dull?

PS: While entering the model details, I realised that I had previously marked the difficulty as high intermediate. Well, it was quite difficult for me then. But now, I think it is a low intermediate model. So what do I do? For now, I am going to continue marking it as high intermediate, because my blog is mostly used by beginner origamists. And I believe I need to re-look at my past posts to ensure that the difficulty level is labelled correctly ie., for beginner origamists :)

Model Details:

Model: Little Turtle Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Multidimensional Transformations Unit Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

We are already into the 7th month of the year! Amazing how time flies..

And to kickstart the second half of the year, here is Tomoko Fuse's Little Turtle kusudama. This is another favourite of kusudama folders since it is not very difficult to make but looks stunningly beautiful when made in wrapper paper. The name comes from the shape of the modules which kinda resembles a turtle :)

This kusudama is made from 30 units but can also be made from 4, 6, 12 and 24 units and there are also a lot of various possible as well.

Model Details:

Model: Little Turtle Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Multidimensional Transformations Unit Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inch squares

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube

I finally present the very famous Cherry Blossom Kusudama, designed by none other than Tomoko Fuse. Cherry blossoms are usually white or pink in colour but I decided that my kusudama need a bit more colour, so here is a vivid red(orange??)-with-flecks-of-white kusudama :)

The kusudama is made from 30 squares of paper; folding the individual units is the easy part, though it is more complex that most other kusudama units. The fun starts when you assemble the units. Assembly is in groups of 3. Inserting the third unit was a challenge at the beginning. Imagine doing that for all the groups! Phew! The 3-unit groups are put together in 5s and as soon as you assemble your first five, you can see the cherry blossoms emerging. You just need to round off the petals so that it looks more like a petal and less like a diamond..

And.. Tada!! Your very own cherry blossom kusudama! Ok, it does take time and effort and patience and the will to complete it, but it is soon done..It is recommended to use squares that are 5 inches or more, else it gets even more difficult to assemble it. I have used 4.5 inches square here.

The design first appeared in the Origami Tanteidan Magazine (Vol 12, Issue 72). It also includes a section on making little petals that can be folded and inserted into the flower, but I felt that the cherry blossom ball looks better without that. So I left that out.

Model Details:

Model: Cherry Blossom Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Origami Tanteidan (Vol 12, Issue 72)
  
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4.5 inches

Model Size: ~5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

I have been trying out one of Tomoko Fuse's designs from her book, 'Floral Origami Globes'. And it has taken me quite some time to complete it, five days to be precise! Not something that should be attempted if you wish to complete your origami quickly.

The model is made from 60 rectangles, 30 for making the pyramid units and 30 for the bows that are seen in between those little pyramids. After making these, the bows are placed inside the pyramid units so that only the bows are seen. Then they are assembled as one unit. It looks best when the pyramid units and the bows are in different colours, so that the bows are more clearly seen.

The model isn't really difficult to make. Making the units is quite easy though it takes some time. Assemling has to be done carefully. Care should be taken that there are 5 pyramids at each meeting point.

6 of these units can also be assembled into a model, which is what I plan on doing next. I intend to convert this into a hanging ornament; you can see the thread that I had added before completing the assembly. So I will be combing this with the 6 unit model and making it into an ornament.

Model Details:

Model: Floral Origami Kusudama with Covered Bows 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Floral Origami Globes

Author: Tomoko Fuse

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square and Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 5 inches by 2.5 inches and 5 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 60

As kusudamas go, this is an easy kusudama, in the sense that, instead of folding 20 to 30 units, this origami needs only 6 units per kusudama. So the time spent on each of these modulars is much lesser.

That said, each module is a little more complex than the usual kusudama modules. The unit starts with a water-bomb base and involves a squash fold at the tip. Finally, after completing the folds, the module is opened up, with extra care, as it is very easy to rip up the squash fold.

Assembly is just a matter of sliding one module under the adjoining one. Not to worry, it holds firm without any glue.

Finally, a word on the paper used. Regular printer paper works best for the model. With regular 60 gsm origami paper, the problem I faced was during assembly. Sliding one module under the other needed a lot of care since 60 gsm paper gets crushed very easily. But with 80 gsm printer paper, this was not much of an issue. Naturally, the printer paper kusudama was more sturdy than the origami paper one.

Model Details:

Model: Quick Kusudama 

Creator: Nina Ostrun

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3.4 inches

Model Size: ~3 inches in diameter

Modules: 6

Diagram: Kusudamas.narod.ru

Tutorial: Youtube