Dragon (Tadashi Mori)

This specific, highly popular origami dragon was created by Japanese origami designer Tadashi Mori. Mori is well-known in the global origami community for sharing expressive, highly detailed models that are surprisingly foldable for intermediate paper artists.

The Tadashi Mori dragon typically utilizes a modified bird base or frog base as its structural foundation. From there, intricate sink folds and crimp folds are used to shape the head, spine, and the expressive winged form.

While it is praised for balancing aesthetic detail with relative foldability, it is generally considered an intermediate to advanced model. It requires a solid understanding of advanced paper manipulation techniques, such as open sinks and reverse folds, to successfully complete.

Because the model features multiple thick layers in the wings and tail, a large square of slightly thin, strong paper is highly recommended. Many folders prefer using tissue foil or double-sided paper so the contrasting colors perfectly highlight the dragon's intricate anatomical details.