Origami | Ryujin 3.5 Tutorial

You cannot fold this with printer paper. You cannot fold this with standard foil. You need double-tissue paper treated with Methylcellulose (MC) , or a very large sheet of durable Kraft paper.

Most folders start by gluing two sheets of tissue paper together, painting them with MC glue, and stretching them over a glass window to dry. If that sentence sounded like a foreign language, you aren't ready for Ryujin.

Pro Tip: Buy a pre-cut square of Washi (Japanese handmade paper) that is at least 70cm. Anything smaller, and you will tear the head off trying to shape the horns.

If you cannot find a complete tutorial that works for you, try these stepping stones: origami ryujin 3.5 tutorial

In the world of origami, there are models, and then there are legends. The Ryujin 3.5, designed by the master Satoshi Kamiya, sits firmly in the latter category. It is widely considered a "grandmaster" test—a project that separates casual folders from dedicated artists. While a single tutorial video can show you how to fold it, successfully completing a Ryujin requires more than just following instructions; it requires strategy, patience, and an understanding of the philosophy behind the scales.

This essay serves as your comprehensive guide to navigating the Ryujin 3.5 tutorial process, breaking down the journey into manageable stages: Preparation, the Grid, the Scales, and the Shaping.

Fold the paper into 80ths. You cannot measure this with a ruler; you must fold using reference points. You cannot fold this with printer paper

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.

This is the "Box-Pleating Abyss." You will locate the central rectangle that will become the torso. Using the CP, you will push the paper down so that the grid forms a series of "towers." You are not folding a dragon yet; you are folding a flat, spiky caterpillar. The horns, legs, and tail are currently locked inside the middle layers. In the world of origami, there are models,

The Critical Maneuver: The "Scale Lock." To create the dorsal spines, you must perform a repetitive series of open-sinks on every other row of the grid. There are 96 rows. You will do this 48 times. Do not listen to music; listen to the paper. It will tell you when it is about to tear.

Since a standard step-by-step book doesn't exist, here is your official treasure map.