Japanese symbol for “origami”

折り紙

おりがみ

Romaji: origami

origami; art of paper folding

In Japanese, origami is 折り紙, read おりがみ (origami).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n origami; art of paper folding
n hallmark; certificate of authenticity

Written forms: 折り紙、折紙. Readings: おりがみ.

Kanji and stroke order

折

fold, break, fracture

on: セツ、シャク
kun: お.る、おり、お.り、-お.り

7 strokes · JLPT 2

紙

paper

on: シ
kun: かみ

10 strokes · JLPT 3

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
骨折	こっせつ kossetsu	bone fracture
時折	ときおり tokiori	sometimes; at intervals; occasionally
折り返し	おりかえし orikaeshi	by return; (call or write back) without delay
挫折	ざせつ zasetsu	setback; failure (e.g. plans, business); frustration
折る	おる oru	to break; to fracture; to break off
手紙	てがみ tegami	letter; note
表紙	ひょうし hyoushi	cover (of a book, magazine, etc.); binding
用紙	ようし youshi	blank form

See also: Chinese symbol for “origami”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.