%IMAGE{"quad-box.jpg" align="right" type="frame" size="350"}%

Masu Box

This is a traditional design for a square box. The height of the sides can vary from almost flat to the same as the width of the base, making a cube-shaped box. A matching lid can be made for any shape box by making the base slightly larger and the sides slightly shorter.

Folding Instructions

1. Crease a square sheet of paper along the horizontal and vertical center lines. %IMAGE{"m1-step-1.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
2. Turn over and fold all four corners to the center. %IMAGE{"m1-step-2.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
3. Fold one edge inward to meet the center line. %IMAGE{"m1-step-3.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
4. Unfold step 3 leaving a crease, and crease the remaining edges the same way. %IMAGE{"m1-step-4.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
5. Unfold one corner and fold its adjacent sides up 90°. %IMAGE{"m1-step-5.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
6. Fold the entire corner up, collapsing the two triangles flat against it. %IMAGE{"m1-step-6.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
7. Continue folding the corner toward the center, and flatten it into the bottom of the box. Repeat from step 5 on the opposite corner. %IMAGE{"m1-step-7.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
8. Press the second corner into the base to complete the box. %IMAGE{"m1-step-8.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="500"}%

Size Variations

The position of the fold in step 3 determines the final box's width and height. Placing the crease halfway between the edge and center line as above creates a box with 2:1 aspect sides. Moving the crease outward makes the box larger and flatter, while moving it closer to the center makes it taller with a smaller base.

Shallow Lid

1. To make a lid for another box, start with a sheet of paper the same size or smaller. After step 2, place the first box directly centered over the new one. %IMAGE{"m2-step-1.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
2. Fold the sides up using the first box as a guide and continue folding the second box normally. %IMAGE{"m2-step-2.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
3. A lid made this way will fit over the first box. %IMAGE{"m2-step-3.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="500"}%

Square Sides

1. To make a cube-shaped box with square sides, fold the edges along a line one third of the way between the outer edges. %IMAGE{"m3-step-1.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
2. When folding step 6, the two triangles will overlap each other. %IMAGE{"m3-step-2.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="400"}%
3. Continue folding the box. %IMAGE{"m3-step-3.jpg" align="center" type="frame" size="500"}%

-- StephenCavilia - 2009-08-26