The Boxes
All the origami boxes featured in this book are variations of the traditional masu box (yellow). Tubis begins his book with the masu box and then shows ways to make a closed masu box (orange) and a closed masu box showing two colors (still one sheet of paper). The origami boxes begin to have more details: instructions are given to fold boxes that have a ribbon-like detail across the top. The ribbon can be in a “X” formation or a “+” formation. A two-color version is also shown (still one sheet of paper only).
The next set of boxes are not hard to make but requires that you know how to make a sink fold. If you don’t, the book includes instructions to make the preliminary base, the waterbomb base, a sink fold, and a twisted square base.
Shown are various twist boxes. Two-color boxes are made with one sheet of duo origami paper. Note how some have the ribbons in “+” (red box) or “X” (white box) orientation and note how the ribbon can be made broad or narrow (blue box).
The remaining boxes are exquisite in their detailing. First, is a set of Flower Boxes. Again, these can be made with the ribbon and flower in “X” or “+” orientation and with two-color options.
Check out these Victorian Boxes. All the boxes shown are the top half of the box. You will need to make a second box (probably a plain one like the traditional masu box) for the bottom of the box.
Most of the origami boxes in this book are symmetrical, but there are two boxes with mixed symmetry. The first has the ribbon extending from edge to edge. The second has the ribbon going from corner to corner.
The Math
Unfolding Mathematics with Origami Boxes has a total of 28 projects. Instructions are also given to:
– make closed boxes rather than just the box tops;
– make locking tabs to keep the folds in place; and
– make taller or shorter boxes.
This book has 180 pages but only a third of the book is devoted to making origami boxes. The majority of the book is devoted to math in the classroom! Arnold Tubis is a professor emeritus of physics and Crystal Mills is a former mathematics teacher. Together, these two individuals unite origami and math.
