“The beauty of origami will make you feel like a kid again. To fold the paper is to enjoy life.” — Akira Yoshizawa

There’s something profoundly simple and joyful about turning a flat piece of paper into something round, floral, and full of life. Kusudama folding, one of the oldest forms of Japanese paper craft, invites us into this world of transformation. Though it may look like a decorative ornament at first glance, the kusudama carries a long history, cultural meaning, and a meditative rhythm that makes it more than just craft—it is a small piece of living tradition.

The word kusudama comes from two Japanese words: kusu (medicine) and dama (ball). The earliest kusudama weren’t paper at all. During the Heian period (794–1185), people sewed small cloth pouches filled with herbs or incense into round bundles. These fragrant medicine balls were hung in rooms to drive away illness and misfortune.

As paper folding grew in popularity, the practice evolved. Instead of cloth, people began crafting flower-like units from folded paper. These were then joined—by glue, thread, or, in some cases, intricate interlocking folds—into spherical forms. Though they no longer carried herbs, they kept their symbolism of protection and beauty.

Modern Kusudama

Today, kusudama is celebrated as both an art form and a meditative activity. While traditional origami tends to emphasize single-sheet folds without cuts or glue, kusudama embraces modular design. Each petal is folded from its own sheet, then combined with others into a flower, and finally into a sphere.

Modern artists like Tomoko Fuse have even advanced kusudama design so that no glue or thread is required—just the precise balance of folds and interlocking structures. The results are not only stunning, but also engineering feats in paper.

Kusudama balls are often displayed at festivals like Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival, where they symbolize wishes and hopes strung on bamboo. They’re also used in weddings, classrooms, and homes—ornaments that glow with meaning as much as with beauty.

Why Kusudama is So Therapeutic

To fold kusudama is to slow down. The act is repetitive, soothing, and quietly immersive. One square of paper becomes a petal, five petals become a flower, and twelve flowers become a ball. Each step builds on the last, reminding us that beauty is born of patience and attention to detail.

For children, kusudama introduces geometry, fine motor skills, and creative thinking. For adults, it offers a mindful practice, a way to focus the hands and calm the mind. And beyond its practical benefits, kusudama connects us to a thousand years of Japanese tradition, carrying a sense of continuity across centuries.

How to Begin Folding

Making a kusudama may seem complicated, but it becomes easy once broken into steps.

1. Choose your paper: Origami paper works best—lightweight and square.

2. Fold petals: Start with a single square, fold it into a triangle, then continue folding and tucking until you form a pointed petal.

3. Assemble flowers: Glue or interlock five petals into a flower.

4. Build the sphere: Create twelve flowers and join them into a ball.

5. Finish: Add a tassel or string for hanging, if desired.It’s a repetitive process, but that’s where the peace lies.

By the time the final flower clicks into place, you’ll find you’ve entered a rhythm as steady as breathing.

Learn by Watching Others

Sometimes, watching makes all the difference. Here are two excellent YouTube guides that can help bring kusudama to life in your own hands:

Kusudama Flower Tutorial (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

How to Assemble a Kusudama Ball

Follow along with these tutorials, and soon you’ll be folding your own blossoms with confidence.

A Living Tradition

Though kusudama began as a talisman against illness, it has grown into a universal symbol of creativity and care. Whether hung in a festival, gifted to a friend, or made as a family project, it carries the same spirit it always has: beauty born of small, deliberate acts.

As Yoshizawa suggested, origami—and kusudama in particular—reminds us to see joy in the simple act of folding. Each crease is a gesture of attention. Each sphere is a reminder that many small parts, when brought together, can create something whole and extraordinary. One petal at a time, you’ll discover the art of kusudama—a tradition both ancient and refreshingly present, waiting in your hands.