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Last updated 26/2/2024

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Sanbo is sometimes found written in the paperfolding literature as Sambo or Sanbow but I believe that Sanbo should be preferred.

There is a separate page for the Sanbo on Legs.

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In China (and in publications by Chinese authors)

1914

Diagrams for this design, titled 'Sanbo', appear in 'Zhe zhi tu shuo' (Illustrated Paperfolding), compiled by Gui Shaolie, which was published by the Commercial Press in Shanghai in Ming guo 3 (1914).

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In Japan (and in publications by Japanese authors)

1735

This print by Nishikawa Sukenobu is sourced from the catalogue of an exhibition on paperfolding history held in Tatsuno City History and Culture Museum in 1999. The girl at the back is holding a Paper Crane. A Paper Boat and a Sanbo are lying on the floor.

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1832

This print from 1832 by Kunisada Utagawa, based on an earlier one by Katsushika Hokusai, shows a Sanbo lying on the stack of paper in front of the woman on the right. The Sanbo does not appear in the earlier print. Sourced from the catalogue of an exhibition on paperfolding history held in Tatsuno City History and Culture Museum in 1999.

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1844

This print, by Kunisada Utagawa, from 1844, which is similar to one from 1832 (see above), shows a Sanbo lying on the stack of paper on the floor. The paper has been decorated to suggest it is Chiyogami. Sourced from the catalogue of an exhibition on paperfolding history held in Tatsuno City History and Culture Museum in 1999.

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1845

There is a note in the 'Kan No Mado', usually dated to 1845, which lists a 'sambo' among those designs which are already well known and which are therefore not included in the ms (in order to spare the writer's pen). I do not know whether this note refers to the Sanbo or the Sanbo on Legs.

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1857

This print by Utagawa Toyokuni, which can be dated to 1857, shows a woman preparing to inflate a Paper Crane while a Sanbo sits on the floor in front of her. Source: 'Oru Kokoro', the catalogue of an exhibition on paperfolding history held in Tatsuno City History and Culture Museum in 1999.

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1869

The central lady in this triptych by Utagawa Kuniaki, which can be dated to 1869, is preparing to inflate a paper Crane, while a completed Sanbo, a Blow-up Frog and another design which I cannot identify lie on the floor in front of her. Source: 'Oru Kokoro', the catalogue of an exhibition on paperfolding history held in Tatsuno City History and Culture Museum in 1999.

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1878

A drawing of the Sanbo appears in 'Yochien Ombutsu No Zu', a publication of kindergarten material issued by the Tokyo Women's Normal School in 1878.

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1885

A drawing of the Sanbo also appears in 'Kindergarten Shoho' (Preliminary Kindergarten) by Iijima Hanjuro, which was copyrighted on October 4th Meiji 17 (1884) and published by Fukuda Senzo in August of Meiji 18 (1885).

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1892

The Sanbo also appears in 'Kani Shukogaku' (Simple Handicraft) by Tamotsu Shibue, which was published in Tokyo in 1892.

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1905

Diagrams appear in 'Shukoka Kyoju Saian' by Gentaro Tanahashi and Hideyoshi Okayama, which was published by Hobunkan in Tokyo in 1905.

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1907

Diagrams appear in 'Shukou Tebikigusa : Kokumin Kyoiku Origami Yuihimo' by Ishin Nishigaki, which was published by Meguro Shoten in Nagaoka in 1907.

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1908

Diagrams also appear in 'Origami zusetsu' (Illustrated Origami) by Sano Shozo, which was published in Tokyo in 1908.

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1912

A drawing of the Sanbo appears in a monozukushi-e print, by an unknown artist, but said to be from the Meiji era. I have temporarily assigned it the date of 1912, the last year of that era, pending the discovery of more accurate information.

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1927

A drawing of the Sanbo appears in an illustration by Takei Takeo in a 1927 issue of the children's magazine 'Kodomo No Kuni' (The Land of Children).

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1965

The Sanbo also appears, as the 'Sambo', in 'The World of Origami' by Isao Honda, which was published in the USA by Japan Publications Trading Company in 1965.

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The Sanbo appears as 'Basket A' in Origami in the Classroom: Book 1: Activities for autumn through Christmas' by Chiyo Araki, which was published by Charles E Tuttle Co Inc in 1965.

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In Western Europe and the Americas

1968

The earliest appearance of this design in a publication by a Western author that I know of is as 'Sanbow 1 :Japanese Offering Tray in 'Teach Yourself Origami: The Art of Paperfolding' by Robert Harbin, which was published by The English Universities Press in 1968.

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