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Last updated 25/1/2026

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'Happy Origami: Whale Book by Tatsuo Miyawaki was published by Biken-Sha in 1960 and distributed by Japan Publications Trading Company. The work contained folded examples of the designs as well as a small quantity of paper to fold them from.

Many of the designs are heavily cut (in fact only 8 of the 24 designs in the work are uncut) and many are also depicted in the coloured plates with added decorations, especially eyes.

My grateful thanks to the British Origami Society for letting me see a copy of this work.

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Analysis

Penguin (cut) - The Cut Bird Base Penguin

The feet are separated using a cut.

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Whale (cut) - The Cut Whale

The two parts of the tail are separated using a cut.

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Crab (cut) - The Cut Frog Base Crab

The legs are separated using cuts

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Flatfish (cut)

A cut is used to form the tail

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Turbot (cut)

Cuts are used to form the tail and fins

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Parrot

Macaw (cut)

A cut is used to create the crest

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Cow (cut)

A cut is used to separate the horns

Dog

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Elephant (cut)

Giraffe (cut)

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Waterfowl

Mandarin Duck (male) (cut)

Mandarin Duck (female) (cut)

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Deer (female) (cut)

Deer (male) (cut)

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Goldfish (baby) (cut)

Goldfish (grown-up) (cut) - The Cut Goldfish

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Mushroom

Squirrel (cut)

Crow - The Crow with Legs

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Hen

Rooster

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Frogs on a Lotus Leaf (Cut)

A cut is used to separate the legs

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Santa Claus

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