Introduction
Ninja stars, also known as shuriken, are a popular and iconic weapon that originated from Japan’s ninja warriors. However, nowadays, making a ninja star has become a popular crafting hobby all over the world. The cool thing about learning how to make a ninja star is that you don’t need to be a ninja to enjoy it. It’s a fun activity that you can do in your free time or with friends. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make a ninja star, video tutorials, infographics, historical background, upcycling tips, and safety measures.
Step-by-Step Guide
Making a Ninja star might seem daunting at first, but it’s a simple process that can be broken down into the following steps:
Step 1: Materials Needed
To make a ninja star, you will need six sheets of square paper. You can utilize origami paper, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, or any other type of paper that is the right size and shape. A ruler, pencil, and scissors can also come in handy. The size of your paper will determine the size of your ninja star.
Step 2: Folding the Paper
Take a square paper and fold it diagonally, creasing it with a ruler. Repeat this step with all six sheets. Cut out the folded triangles so you’re left with an octagon shape.
Step 3: Making Modules
Now it’s time to fold each octagon in half by bringing two opposite sides together. Repeat this step with all six octagons. After that fold them in half again to form a smaller octagon. Finally, tuck the open flaps inside the folded shape to form a triangle. Repeat the same steps with the remaining five origami paper.
Step 4: Connecting the Modules
Take two of the triangle shapes and connect them. Insert the free triangle of one module into the pocket of another. Do the same with the remaining modules.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
You should now have three shuriken shapes. Take two shuriken and connect them with their free triangles. Tuck the remaining triangle into the pocket of the last shuriken. That’s it! You’ve made a ninja star.
Tips: Be sure to crease the folds well, use paper that is not too thin that it rips, and keep your fingers away from the blades while maneuvering.
Video Tutorial
For a visual guide on how to make a ninja star, check out this video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U687h8x3U6w
In the video tutorial, you will learn how to fold and connect each module as well as how to assemble everything together to make the ninja star. It also provides some great tips on how to make your ninja star look more polished and precise.
Infographic
If you’re a visual learner, you may find it easier to follow the process of making a ninja star with the help of an infographic. Here’s a fantastic infographic that depicts each step to making a ninja star.
This infographic helpfully depicts both how to fold the paper to form each module and how to assemble all of the modules together to create your ninja star. The infographic also includes materials that you would need to make a ninja star.
Historical and Cultural Background
It’s fascinating to understand the history and cultural significance of ninja stars. It’s said that ninja stars were first invented around 400 years ago as a tool for distracting enemies. Used by the ninja warriors of Japan, these weapons were typically thrown at opponents, but they could also be used as knives or daggers. Ninja stars were cheap to make and easy to carry, so they became a popular weapon for the warriors.
In Japanese mythology, ninja stars also appear as a supernatural weapon. They are often attributed with magical powers, including the ability to pierce armor or to fly in a straight line.
Upcycling
As a crafter, hording supplies of all sorts is pretty much standard; however, we can often forget about our existing resources. Upcycling allows you to repurpose materials and give them a new life. Here we’ll see how we can make a ninja star using materials that you already have around the house.
Materials needed: An old CD, a compass, a marker, a small saw, and sandpaper.
Step 1: Use the compass to draw two circles on the CD.
Step 2: Trace the pentagon-side of each module from this tutorial on the CD.
Step 3: Cut the outline of the ninja star using a saw, and sand the edges to be smooth.
Step 4: Use the marker to color your ninja star (optional).
You’ll end up with a shuriken that looks similar, yet different from the original origami ninja star. The unique disc, crunchy texture, and vivid colors make it a fun and challenging alternative for ninja star enthusiasts.
Safety Tips
Making a ninja star can be a fun activity, but it’s essential to take safety precautions when doing so. Here are some safety tips that you should follow when making a ninja star:
Tip 1: Be extra careful when using scissors, a paper cutter or saw. Make sure you use high-quality cutting tools, and keep your fingers away while cutting the paper.
Tip 2: Avoid throwing the ninja star at any living things. Even though it’s though the ninja star has a blunt surface, it can still inflict injury if thrown at people or pets.
Tip 3: Store the ninja star properly when not in use. Keep it away from children and out of sight when it’s not in your possession.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning how to make a ninja star can be an engaging and worthwhile activity. Through this article, we’ve provided you with a step-by-step guide, video tutorials, infographics, historical and cultural significance backgrounds, upcycling tips, and safety measures to take. We invite you to try making your own. Be creative, experiment with different colors, sizes or materials, all while having fun! Share your creations on social media and tag us using the hashtag #NinjaStarCrafts to get featured.