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Sonobe Cube - Origami
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Sonobe Cube

description Sonobe Cube Overview

A cube assembled from six Sonobe units, a modular system attributed to Mitsunobu Sonobe and widely popularized in the 1960s–70s as a foundational modular form.

insights Why this score

Sonobe Cube ranks #79 of 381 in the Origami ranking, behind Unicorn (Satoshi Kamiya), ahead of Origami Icosahedron (Modular).

Foundational modular unit assembly, globally taught and versatile; high consensus from influence and accessibility.

help Sonobe Cube FAQ

How many Sonobe units are needed for a cube?

A standard Sonobe cube uses six identical units. Each folded unit contributes faces and locking tabs that connect without glue.

Why does a six-unit Sonobe cube hold together without tape?

Each module has tabs that slide into pockets on neighboring modules. Once all six units are interlocked, the closed structure keeps the connections under mutual tension.

Is the Sonobe cube a good first modular origami project?

Yes. It teaches repeated unit folding, consistent creasing, and pocket-and-tab assembly with only six pieces of paper.

What larger models can be built after a Sonobe cube?

The same family of units can form stellated polyhedra and larger modular balls using many more pieces. Common next projects use 12 or 30 units, although assembly becomes substantially more involved than the six-unit cube.

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