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folding instructions

How to Make an Origami Salmon: Choose the Right Model and Paper

“Origami salmon” can mean several different designs. Compare the documented tutorial, Issei Yoshino’s Salmon, and Richard Ellison’s Pacific Salmon before choosing paper and instructions.

By ThatPainter Team 3 min read
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There is no single, standard “origami salmon.” The name is used for several different designs, so the folding sequence depends on the model you choose. For a salmon-specific result, follow the complete diagram or video for a named design rather than converting a generic fish pattern into a salmon.

The clearest documented options are a 23 cm square tutorial model, Issei Yoshino’s published Salmon, and Richard Ellison’s technically complex Pacific Salmon.

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Choose the salmon design first

Model Paper information Difficulty or documentation
“How To Make Origami Salmon” tutorial (published June 16, 2023) 23 cm × 23 cm square, according to the video description The description identifies the paper size but does not provide the folding steps or a sourced difficulty rating.
Issei Yoshino’s Salmon Use the size specified in the edition or diagram you obtain. Diagrams are referenced in Origami Tanteidan issues 12 and 13 and in Issei Super Complex Origami. Origami House also lists the model in Origami Aquarium.
Richard Ellison’s Pacific Salmon One 35 cm square of kami; 35 cm sandwich paper (tissue foil) is described as ideal, while 25 cm foil paper may also work. The OrigamiUSA class description calls it technically complex because of one tricky sink, with the remainder at high-intermediate level. That description referred to the July 25, 2026 convention class.

These are separate designs. Do not combine their instructions, paper requirements, or difficulty ratings.

What you need

  • One square sheet in the size required by your chosen model.
  • A flat, clean work surface with enough room for a large sheet, especially for the 35 cm Pacific Salmon.
  • The complete diagram or video for that exact model.
  • A bone folder only if you find it helpful; the documented sources do not establish it as required equipment.

How to fold the chosen salmon

Because the available descriptions do not show a complete salmon-specific sequence, the reliable procedure is to work from the named model’s full instructions:

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  1. Confirm the model and paper. Check that the diagram or video names the salmon design you intend to fold and follow its stated sheet size.
  2. Prepare a true square. If you are cutting your own paper, measure both diagonals and edges so the square is accurate. Place the color side and white side as the instructions specify.
  3. Make every reference crease exactly. Complex salmon models depend on accurate preliminary creases. Keep edges aligned and flatten each crease before moving on.
  4. Work through the sequence without substituting folds. Yoshino’s salmon and Ellison’s Pacific Salmon are not interchangeable. In particular, the Pacific Salmon includes a difficult sink; attempt it only when your diagram shows the exact layers and collapse direction.
  5. Shape the body and fins gradually. Use the diagram’s indicated reverses, sinks, and shaping folds. Avoid forcing a thick multilayer section; reopen and correct the preceding crease if the layers do not align.
  6. Finish the head and tail as shown. A salmon’s silhouette comes from model-specific shaping, so do not add eyes, a mouth, or drawn markings unless the instructions call for them.

If you only need an easy fish

An eight-step “Easy Origami Fish” PDF describes a generic fish: fold the paper in half, fold a flap, shape sections with diagonal folds, adjust the left and right flaps, rotate the model, and draw an eye and mouth. Its source does not identify the design as a salmon. It can be a beginner exercise, but presenting it as a salmon-specific model would be misleading.

How to get a recognizable salmon result

Use the right scale

Small paper makes layered, complex models harder to collapse and shape. The 23 cm specification belongs to the tutorial model; the 35 cm recommendation belongs to Ellison’s Pacific Salmon. Neither size is a universal salmon standard.

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Choose paper that holds creases

For the Pacific Salmon, the class listing specifically recommends 35 cm sandwich paper, also called tissue foil, and notes that 25 cm foil paper may work. For other models, follow the designer’s material guidance rather than assuming the same paper is suitable.

Expect model-specific difficulty

The advanced rating for Pacific Salmon should not be applied to the separate 23 cm tutorial. The available tutorial description does not establish its difficulty.

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Where the named models are documented

  • Issei Yoshino’s Salmon: referenced in Origami Tanteidan issues 12 and 13, with diagrams also pointed to in Issei Super Complex Origami. Origami House’s Origami Aquarium page lists a Yoshino salmon as well.
  • Richard Ellison’s Pacific Salmon: described in an OrigamiUSA class listing, which supplies the paper and difficulty information but not a complete public folding sequence.
  • 23 cm tutorial model: identified by the video title and description; the accessible description supplies the paper size but not the folds.

Check the exact edition or recording before buying or borrowing a reference, since a listing establishes that a model was published or taught, not that a particular book or class is currently available.

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