Have you ever wanted to fold something that looks good enough to eat? Kashiwamochi — the classic Japanese oak-leaf rice cake — is one of those origami models that tricks the eye: a few simple folds and a single snip of the scissors, and suddenly you've got a plump little sweet sitting on your desk. It's a favorite at spring festivals in Japan, and folding one is a lovely way to bring a bit of that celebration into your own paper craft.

Don't let the fourteen steps intimidate you. Most of them are just careful repeats of the same idea — halving, opening, and tucking — and because the tutorial leans on photos more than cryptic diagrams, it's surprisingly easy to follow. Pour a cup of tea, grab a square of paper, and let's fold a treat that nobody will mind if you keep for yourself.

STEP 1

Fold it in half.

STEP 2

Fold it in half.

STEP 3

Open the paper and fold it as shown in the photo.

STEP 4

Fold the back side in the same way.

STEP 5

Make a crease at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 6

Fold it inward at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 7

Cut along the line with scissors.

STEP 8

Fold it inward at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 9

Turn it over so it matches the position shown in the photo.

STEP 10

Tuck one flap to the side.

STEP 11

Fold it up at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 12

Fold the other side in the same way.

STEP 13

Fold it at the position shown in the photo.

STEP 14

Turn it over.

Completion!

Your kashiwamochi is complete.