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Modular Origami: Sonobe Polyhedra

by sallymander on October 31, 2007

Table of Contents

Modular Origami: Sonobe Polyhedra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Modular Origami: Sonobe Polyhedra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2: Origami Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3: Sonobe Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 4: Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

http://www.instructables.com/id/Modular-Origami-Sonobe-Polyhedra/
Intro: Modular Origami: Sonobe Polyhedra
Modular origami uses many identical modules joined without tape or glue to make a larger shape. It's a great type of origami to practice, because in general the modules
are pretty simple and the result is impressive. This Instructable will show you how to make a Sonobe module assemble the modules into some different polyhedra.

A lot of people think that origami is either about folding animals, or only for little kids. One of my aims in creating this Instructable is to introduce other people to the world
of origami, and add a popular and well-known origami pattern to the Instructables library.

I'm sorry that the format is a little awkward -- I made the diagrams in Inkscape and then found out that it's fussy to save them as jpegs and that they look better as pdfs
anyway. On the other hand, you can print them out easily.

Let me know what you think!

Step 1: Bibliography
These modules were created by Mitsunobu Sonobe, and so we call them Sonobes.These units first appeared in the book Origami for the Connoisseur, by Kunihiko
Kasahara and Toshie Takahama.

There are many ways to put them together, which you can find on the web at http://members.shaw.ca/gtarigan/sonobe/index.html One of them, using only three units,
was created by Toshie Takahama, and so we call this assembly Toshie's Jewels in her honor. Another way to assemble the Sonobes was created by Stephan T. Lavavej,
instructions for which you may find on his website, http://nuwen.net/poly.html , since they are much clearer with his photographs.

There are also a bunch of ways you can make the modules which add interest to the final product. Some of these may be found on Meenakshi Mukerji's website at
http://www.geocities.com/mmukhopadhyay/creation/sonobe.html The last time I looked, only two of the links worked, but there are some good pictures. Another
interesting site is http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/alabama/179/sonobe_unit.html , which focuses on cubes.

Finally, if you want some more pictures of how to assemble the modules and a handy table of some of the things you can make with them, try
http://home.comcast.net/~meenaks/diagrams/sonoassm.pdf for another diagram by Meenakshi Mukerji.

Step 2: Origami Basics

The first step is to find some paper. If you're going to fold really small modules, you'll want real origami paper because it's thinner than copy paper. Otherwise, you can
choose whatever type of paper you like. I'd recommend starting with squares that are at least 1.5-2", but once you've gotten the module down you can use any size paper
you like. Only one side of the paper will be visible in this variation.

The attached pdf file has some basic fold instructions: all origami patterns will use these terms, so learn them well. I've also attached a jpeg version, but it's harder to
read.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Modular-Origami-Sonobe-Polyhedra/
File Downloads

origami basics.pdf (446 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'origami basics.pdf']

http://www.instructables.com/id/Modular-Origami-Sonobe-Polyhedra/
Step 3: Sonobe Module
In this step, you'll fold your first Sonobe module. How many you fold depends on what shape you'd like to end up with. View the attached pdf for the diagram.

File Downloads

sonobe module.pdf (886 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'sonobe module.pdf']
Step 4: Assembly
These pdfs will show you some ways to assemble your Sonobe modules. "Assembly" shows you how to make a cube, and "Octohedron" shows how to assemble a
stellated octahedron or icosahedron. And, yes, I do realize that I spelled the file name wrong.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Toshie's Jewels 1. Cubes with Six Modules

Image Notes Image Notes

http://www.instructables.com/id/Modular-Origami-Sonobe-Polyhedra/
 1. Stellated Octohedrons 1. Stellated Icosahedrons

File Downloads

assembly.pdf (946 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'assembly.pdf']

octohedron.pdf (858 KB)

[NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'octohedron.pdf']

Related Instructables

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Origami Origami Crane Origami origami tall
Origami by gregr collection Chandelier Milenuim falcon samurai helmit
Origami Stella (Photos) by (Photos) by by narpas or hat by josefu0
Maris by slu6alka Suruki3
krapphace

Comments
32 comments Add Comment

Z.Backas says: Mar 8, 2011. 6:14 PM REPLY

You beat me to this!
I was introduced to the sonobe in my 7th grade industreal technology class. We made cubes, and were told we could get more advanced with more than 6
units
Ever since then, I periodically clean out my folders of papers I don't need anymore, fold and use the crease-and-tear method to cut them into squares, and
then cut the larger squares into four smaller squares, and fold the smaller squares into sonobe's. I usually take it one step at a time for the whole lot of 30-40
pieces of paper I get from one clean-out, and can usually finish it all in one class period (if I'm not interrupted).
It's a great way to cure boredom in school and do something productive, while re-using an item you'd normally get rid of.
This is a picture of a Menger sponge I made from a recent folder clean-out.

sallymander says: Mar 9, 2011. 9:52 AM REPLY

I used to fold these during school all the time too! I have a friend who likes to use paper from glossy junk-mail magazines. I always liked to use the
wrappers from Hershey's Miniatures, because paper-backed foil is kind of expensive. Also then your origami smells like chocolate. :)

Pizzapie500 says: May 5, 2010. 1:45 PM REPLY

Here's the origami that I made when I was in 4th grade: http://www.instructables.com/id/Origami-Creations-by-A-4th-Grader/ . Check it out! It's actually pretty
good...

Pizzapie500 says: Oct 23, 2009. 7:59 PM REPLY

Did you make that thing on the front page? It's awesome. I bet I can make it, i have made a dragon (took 200 paper), Sword (250 post its), 1000 cranes
(1000), and a ball (300). I'm not even a teen yet!! Started origami in 1st grade.

origamianything says: Dec 9, 2009. 3:21 PM REPLY

It takes 270 pieces of paper.... and it is excruciatingly hard. try making the one with less rings of hexagons, that one takes 2 rings, and the easy one
takes one ring, and only a third (90) of the units!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Modular-Origami-Sonobe-Polyhedra/
 Pizzapie500 says: Dec 9, 2009. 4:56 PM REPLY
Try an origami flower ball, they aren't exactly origami though, they're sew together. Or a sword (my favorite), btw there isn't many instructions for a
sword so I made my own in 4th grade! My teacher was amaze because I made it during class for a whole weekwith no instructions. A kid in 3rd grade
wanted to buy it for 50$

origamianything says: Dec 12, 2009. 4:07 PM REPLY

well, that's very amazing. if you wanted to, you can also make one similar which is sorta like an icosadodecahedron, but the triangles are stellated
and the pentagons have a star in the middle (like a complex dodecahedron), and it takes 120 units. make parts of the stellated icosahedron , in
rings of 10 units. push the middle part down to make a star, and connect 12 of those.

origamianything says: Feb 1, 2010. 4:13 PM REPLY

oh yes, i started doing origami in 1st grade too :D it all started with a paper airplane... and then i got to origami... and finally i got bored so i
made multi-piece origami things that u can take apart and make into so many other things.

OriAprilgami says: Jul 9, 2009. 9:52 AM REPLY

YAY origami magic everywhere

IHeartOrigami says: May 5, 2009. 3:29 PM REPLY

wow that is an awesome picture of a.... well, what do you call that monster? lol, jk. I LOVE IT!!! wish I had the patience to make so many modules. But how
did you make it? it's so cool!

atomicturkey27 says: Apr 19, 2009. 2:29 PM REPLY

130 pieces done. I love this design, I've been looking for a good unit origami design!

unbentcrayfish says: Mar 3, 2009. 8:46 AM REPLY

three months now and I'm still working on my big one, can't remember the name right now...

jaredarm says: Dec 8, 2008. 4:47 PM REPLY

Thank you for the module! Here is mine. I made it out of tracing paper and put an LED in it.

pinkpoison says: Feb 17, 2009. 5:03 PM REPLY

That looks so cool! When I first saw the pic I thought it was some kind of computer generated thing! = )

emmayxl says: Jan 21, 2009. 9:09 AM REPLY

Not sure if tracing paper comes with color. Did you use regular white tracing paper with a blue LED?

jaredarm says: Jan 21, 2009. 10:18 AM REPLY

That's actually a very good question. :/ Hmm. Well the tracing paper was white or it was normal tracing paper at least. And the LED was one from a
light you plug into the side of your laptop and that was white as well. The glow is closer to a very light blue, (more white than blue) but a long shutter
speed exaggerates this quite a bit. (I didn't alter the image at all by the way.) It would work very well if you but red or green or even blue LEDs in to it.
If you do I would put more than one, each pointing to a different part of the inside because mine glows more at the top than anywhere else.

sallymander says: Dec 9, 2008. 7:42 AM REPLY

That is wicked awesome!

skater builder guy says: Oct 15, 2008. 5:41 PM REPLY

omfg!!!!!! you must have a lot of time on your hands to do that! and a lot of paper! if i try i think i will run out of paper in my whole house! that is soo coool

http://www.instructables.com/id/Modular-Origami-Sonobe-Polyhedra/
 Mr. BeanyMvBeanBean says: Jul 23, 2008. 9:43 AM REPLY
I once made the "Epcot Ball" as I call it in the first picture but i fell and I made it into nine 30 piece ones.

Applebohn says: Apr 27, 2008. 9:52 AM REPLY

Is that a 90 piece, its awsome. The highest i've made is a 30 piece.

sallymander says: Apr 27, 2008. 10:11 AM REPLY

270, actually. Though I think that the 30-piece ones look the best... this one doesn't look as smooth and it's a lot more fragile.

explosivemaker says: Apr 18, 2008. 11:11 PM REPLY

...i was trying to make a giant one when i re-visited my notes and realized that 6 points round a point would leave me with a flat plane......

sallymander says: Apr 23, 2008. 5:39 AM REPLY

Check out Stephan Lavavej's website at http://nuwen.net/poly.html for some instructions. (It's in the bibliography, but I figured I'd bring it to your
attention). You're absolutely right; you can't make a huge one out of hexagons because they tessellate on the plane. You can, however, make a large
one out of hexagons and pentagons (as I did in the picture). It's a little tricky to remember where all the pentagons are; hence, they are all the same color
and you can probably pick them out in my picture.

explosivemaker says: Apr 23, 2008. 9:15 PM REPLY

so that's your site?....cool...thats where i first learned how to make these.....great job on it too....i think it still might attempt to make one....

sallymander says: Apr 24, 2008. 6:15 AM REPLY

No, it's not my site, but that was where I found the instructions for the Epcot Ball model. Go for it! It can be a little frustrating, but it's totally worth
it. You will amaze all of your friends.

explosivemaker says: Apr 24, 2008. 11:46 PM REPLY

o...oops...didn't read very well....I hope I have enough time to work on it.....if I do manage to finish it I will post a pic here first.....

unbentcrayfish says: Apr 24, 2008. 6:09 PM REPLY

you have way TOO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS!!!! get a job! jk... that is very cool you are a god to me well... not realy

jokojytok says: Apr 22, 2008. 1:49 AM REPLY

I was recently incarcerated at the (PRIVATELY OWNED) Brown County Jail, where there are obviously no dice for Yatzee, nor any sort of art therapy
classes, droogs and friends. It is amazing what a difference a few ripped request slips can make on both innocents pending release and "hardened" (i.e.
bored, jaded, bitter and entrenched) convicted persons... Thank you for further inspiring people to bend their minds and then take the bending to a pragmatic
and beautiful manifestation!

sallymander says: Apr 23, 2008. 5:41 AM REPLY

Thanks for reading my instructable! :)

tecno geek says: Mar

go to:
[http://www.instructables.com/tag/?q=tecno+geek&limit%3Atype%3Aid=on&type%3Aid=on&type%3Auser=on&type%3Acomment=on&type%3Agroup=on&type%3Afor

SlothOnSpeed says: Nov 16, 2007. 9:37 PM REPLY

Many art forms involve repetition. I think that the challenge here is to take these identical forms and use them to create a model of a shape that previously
only existed as an idea. Although I found the pdfs to be a bit awkward while trying to read/understand this Instructable, I like the idea of using origami to
elaborate and rather beautiful items. Good job.

Vertigo666 says: Nov 1, 2007. 1:07 PM REPLY

Yeah once you make one, just repeat ad nauseum

http://www.instructables.com/id/Modular-Origami-Sonobe-Polyhedra/