Shiori ningyo are bueautiful, tiny dolls made out of pretty Japanese paper called washi. The name means bookmark doll and this larger adaptation can be used to as a bookmark. The doll wears a kimono with a wide sash called an obi.
You will need:
- Template printed onto A4 white card
- Patterned or coloured paper (12.5cm x 17 cm)
- Complementary patterned or coloured paper (7cm x 13cm)
- Scissors
- Glue stick.
What to do:
- Cut out the body shape from the template.
- Place the largest piece of paper underneath the body and glue down. The top of the paper should be in line with the bottom of the doll’s head and the doll should be in the centre of the paper.
- Fold the paper down over the sloped shoulders and glue down. The doll will now appear to be wearing a cape.
- Fold the paper over the straight edges and glue down. The doll should now look like she’s wearing a kimono, although there may be a slight gap (don’t worry this will soon be covered up).
- To make the obi, take the small piece of paper and fold the long edges down about 1cm.
- Wrap the strip of paper around the doll so that the gap is covered, glue down.
- Choose a hair style for the doll, cut out the front and back from the template (or make your own) and stick to the doll’s head.
- If you like you can draw a face onto your doll but it is traditional for the faces to be left blank.
Template
Japanese Doll Bookmark template
Magic Activities 