Ninja Star (Shuriken)

This ninja star (also called a shuriken) is a traditional design. It uses two sheets of paper. You can start with two squares or you can start with one square but cut it in half to get two pieces. The model looks good when you use contrasting colors. If you are using origami paper, you can make one unit white and the other unit colored.

Instructions:

1. Take a square sheet of paper that is white on one side and colored on the back side. Cut the paper in half to get two rectangles. Turn one over so you get the colored-side up.
2. Fold both rectangles in half crosswise. Unfold.
   Fold both rectangles in half lengthwise.
3. For the rectangle on the left:
   fold up the bottom-left corner and
   fold down the top-right corner.
   For the rectangle on the right:
   fold down the top-left corner and
   fold up the bottom-right corner.
4. For the rectangle on the left:
   fold down the left half and fold up the right half.
   For the rectangle on the right:
   fold up the left half and fold down the right half.
5. Model A and B look similar to one another except that they are mirror images of each other. Turn over model B.
6. Rotate model B a quarter turn counter clockwise.
7. Place model A over model B and hold the two units steady.
8. Fold flap B to the left and tuck it under flap A.
   Do the same with the bottom half of the star.
9. Turn the model over.
10. Repeat: fold down flap A and tuck it under flap B.
    Repeat with bottom half of the star.
11. Shuriken is complete.