Satoshi Kamiya's Veiltail Angelfish

This is a design which has been on my Origami To-Do list for quite some time, now. I have been putting it off for as long as I can remember because I know that I usually sit with complex models for a really long time to complete them.

This took me 4 hours over 2 Sundays to complete it – not folding it continuously. There are 114 steps in all, not counting the repeats – and this is where, I daresay, I got side-tracked and delayed the completion of it.

Paper to use:
This model is best folded with pliable, thin paper because of the numerous layers and folding techniques involved. I have folded my rendition in Metallic Foil paper which I purchased from Nicolas Terry’s Origami-shop.com – Pack Tissue-foil Papers – 24 sheets – 30x30cm (11.8″x11.8″) – measuring 30 cms in size, single side colored. I found it easy to fold and shape the model (note the ‘pleating’ for the fins) in the end with this paper.

I read somewhere that the kind of paper Satoshi Kamiya uses for such models is special / exquisite and not something you can get at any shop. This paper is made specially made for such complex models / designs.

How to Fold the Veiltail Angelfish:
The diagrams to this amazing design are in the Tanteidan Magazine # 120 which you can buy as part of Volume 20 from Nicolas Terry’s Shop – Tanteidan Volume 20 (#115-120).

This is a complex design to fold and is not for beginners and those who are not experienced in folding sinks, collapses and other complicated folds / techniques.

The end result is really pretty and will make a nice show piece on your Origami shelf. I enjoyed folding this model, even though there were a lot of repetitions involved in the process. The ending steps for shaping the design is the main part of the folding process which gives this fish a very delicate characteristic.

Eagle Ray (Design by Satoshi Kamiya)

I wanted to fold something different this week, so I decided to fold Satoshi Kamiya’s Eagle Ray from his book – Works of Satoshi KAMIYA. I have not folded anything from this book, to tell you honestly, besides the ‘Yellow Bird‘. I find almost all of the models pretty intricate, complex and time consuming to hold. So I end up closing the book and looking for something else to fold.

Paper to use:
In the book, it is suggested that a square sheet of paper measuring 15cm x 15cm be used for this model. I used common Kami paper as this is my first fold of this model. You can try folding this with tant or any other thin paper of your choice, too. The kami paper I used in the image above is single-side colored i.e. grey on one side and white on the other. You need to start folding with the white side facing upwards (towards you). I have wet folded my rendition of the model to give it a more ‘swimming’ or ‘flowing’ look. This is of course, an optional step.

How to fold this model:

As you would be very well aware by now, Satoshi Kamiya does not wish to have any instructional videos created / recorded of his work. So, in order to fold this model, you would need to have the book. This book, Works of Satoshi KAMIYA might I mention, is well worth it because it has a diagrams to a lot of complex models. The diagrams to the Bahamut Dragon, Ancient Dragon and Divine Boar are also included in this book. However, I should add that this book is for experienced folders only. There are no simple and lower intermediate models in it, at all – all of the models are complex.

Chocobo, the Yellow bird (Design by Satoshi Kamiya)

It all started when I couldn’t make up my mind as to which origami model I should fold this weekend…this ignorance made me ask my fiance to choose. Needless to say, he ended up choosing this particular model from none other than Satoshi Kamiya! So, I decided to give it a shot.

This is a high-intermediate model and from the book Works of Satoshi Kamiya 1995-2003, by the master himself – Satoshi Kamiya. Yes, I finally managed to fold something from his book and which didn’t end up as a crumpled ball of paper in the wastebasket.

I was going through the steps in the book quite earnestly to understand each of them and the folds to watch out for. I then came across 2 videos on youtube.com, which made it easier to follow / visualize the tricky steps. Let me remind you at this stage, that these videos on YouTube do not depict details all of the 80 steps in the book but demonstrate the main folds, only. So, you basically need the book in order to fold the intricate folds and to enhance the look of your very own Chocobo.

Now, this model is also known as the ‘Yellow bird’ and the book says that Kamiya’s inspiration for this model is actually the Chocobo from the Final Fantasy series (of video games).

Kind of paper to use & size:

I used a large origami paper, which was singe-side colored, square and 9” in size. The book has a recommended paper size of 15x15cms. You should also be aware that the final model is about 60% of the size of the paper used. If you are using a single side colored paper, then you need to start off with the white or blank side facing you.

Folds to watch out for:
The part I found to be very tricky was the feet of the bird. There are open sinks to be incorporated along with numerous reverse folds. The paper used for this model also plays an important role. The thicker the paper you choose, the more difficult it is going to be to fold. The rest of the steps are reasonably easy to follow, knowing that Satoshi Kamiya has a penchant for over complex and intricate models.