The ancient Japanese art of tatebanko is a practical answer to one of your modern problems. You are searching for engaging ways to homeschool your children.
While you have to be the teacher, you are also a parent. So you look for something that completes a lesson without being a burden to you or your children.
Our modern tatebanko post can help you quickly address multiple educational goals:
- The short summary enables you to select a project
- The subject link starts the research for a written report
- The download link strengthens computer skills
- Assembling the project develops both reading and motor skills
- You can experience Tatebanko, an ancient Japanese art form.
Because Japan has a long and fascinating story, you can use these projects as part of a unit on world history.
And best of all, when you are done, you have something to show off. While a building doesn’t stick to a refrigerator door, it will sit proudly in someone’s bedroom.
Tips And Tricks
Read The Instructions First
There are a lot of steps in each of these projects. Also, there are several different kinds of folds and cuts you need to make. Plus, some pieces will require shaping before assembly.
So you need to read and understand all of the instructions before you start.
If you do make a grave mistake, you can always print it again and start over. But why waste time and suffer the aggravation? Just spend a few minutes reading and understanding the instructions before you start.
Tools & Materials
You will need some tools to make your tatebanko. Here is a suggested list that will help make the project easier.
- scissors, utility knife
- glue stick, PVA
- metal ruler, square
- pencil
- scoring tool
- toothpicks
- tweezers
You can print the project on your home computer. But you may find that regular printer paper is not stiff enough. So you may want to switch to matte photo paper (approximately 50# or 190 gsm) for better results.
Assembly Tips
- Write the part number lightly in pencil on the back of each part, so you can keep track of each one.
- Use a metal ruler and scoring tool to score the fold lines. Please, remember that scoring lines are made on the front of the piece.
- Fold and shape each piece before gluing. Dry fitting parts before gluing will save you a lot of time and help produce better results.
- If you are using PVA, try using a toothpick to apply a thin coat of adhesive. Too thick a coating may wrinkle the paper.
- Tweezers really help with tiny parts.
The Seven Famous Sites
The Phoenix Hall Of Byōdō-in
Byōdō-in (平等院, “Temple of Equality”) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.
A high-ranking courtier built it in 998 as a rural villa. After his death, a member of the ancient Fujiwara clan acquired it. Then in 1052, Fujiwara no Yorimichi converted it to a Buddhist temple.
Today, the only remaining original building is the Phoenix Hall. It is the most famous building in the temple complex.
UNESCO designated Byōdō-in as a World Heritage Site in 1994. It is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
This paper diorama is the main building of the temple, which is called the Phoenix Hall.
Difficulty ★★☆☆☆
Assembly time 2 hours
Finished size W108mm(4.25in) x H39mm(1.5in) x D80mm(3.15in).
You can get a downloadable PDF of the Byodoin Phoenix Hall, Japan Mini Version.
Kaminarimon Gate Of Senso-ji
The Kaminarimon (雷門, “Thunder Gate”) is the outer of two large entrance gates that lead to the ancient Buddhist temple, Sensō-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo.
In 941, Taira no Kinmasa, a military commander, built the first gate near Komagata. In 1635 it was reconstructed in its current location.
Fire has gutted the Kaminarimon many times. The last time it burned to the ground was in 1865.
In 1960, Kōnosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic, was very sick. He traveled to Sensoji Temple to pray for healing. When he recovered, he was so thankful that he donated the gates and the giant red lantern (chōchin).
And so, in December 1960, 95 years after it last burned, they dedicated the current Kaminarimon Gate.
Difficulty ★★☆☆☆
Assembly time 1 hour
Finished size W95mm(3.75in) x H80mm(3.15in) x D53mm(2in)
You can get a downloadable PDF of the Kaminarimon Gate of Senso-ji Temple, Japan Mini Version.
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle (熊本城, Kumamoto-jō) is a hilltop castle located in Chūō-ku, Kumamoto. It is considered one of the three premier castles in Japan.
A powerful feudal lord built the first fortifications in 1467 and expanded them in 1496. After nearly a century, from 1588 to 1610, another feudal lord made the present castle.
The walls and the wooden overhangs help prevent attackers from penetrating the castle. The unique curved stone walls are called musha-gaeshi.
During the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion, the Imperial Army besieged and burned down parts of Kumamoto Castle.
They used concrete to reconstruct the castle keep in 1960. During the restoration from 1998 to 2008, they rebuilt most of the 17th-century structures.
Difficulty ★★☆☆☆
Assembly time 1 hour
Finished size Unspecified
Like all of the projects, the Kumamoto Castle, Japan Mini Version downloadable PDF is available in both US and international paper sizes.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himeji-jō) is a hilltop castle complex in the city of Himeji. It is the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture.
The governor, Akamatsu Norimura, built the first fort on the site in 1333. Thirteen years later, in 1346, it was remodeled into the first Himeji castle. From 1581 through 1618, a series of feudal lords renovated and expanded it.
Himeji Castle’s imposing size and beauty and well-preserved complex castle grounds make it one of Japan’s most spectacular castles. Nearly three million people visit the castle every year.
UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Difficulty ★★☆☆☆
Assembly time 2 hours
Finished size W82mm(3.25in) x H78mm(3in) x D66mm(2.6in)
Just click on the link to download your copy of the Himeji Castle, Japan Mini Version PDF.
Yomeimon Gate At Nikko Toshogu
Nikkō Tōshō-gū (日光東照宮) is a Shinto shrine located in Nikkō. It is the final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), who founded the Tokugawa shogunate (1603-1868).
His shogunate was the third and last in Japanese history. This period is also known as the Edo Period.
The shrine is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
The Yomeimon Gate (Sunset Gate) is the most revered in Japan. It is covered by some 500 carved images depicting folk tales, mythical beasts, and Chinese sages.
When it was built, people thought its perfection might arouse envy in the gods. So the builders put the final supporting pillar upside down as a deliberate error.
Difficulty ★★☆☆☆
Assembly time 2 hours
Finished size W80mm(3.15in) x H60mm(2.36in) x D50mm(1.97in)
You can get the Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Yomeimon), Japan Mini Version PDF file now.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁舎, Tōkyō-to Chōsha) is the city hall for the Tokyo metropolis. It is nicknamed Tochō (都庁).
The architect, Kenzo Tange, designed the building. Its shape was inspired by Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. Tange also wanted it to look like an integrated circuit, so he used strong horizontal and vertical lines.
The prominent civic center is dominated by two skyscrapers. It is the tallest city hall in the world.
The two towers are 48 stories tall – 243m(797ft). The bridging structure between them is 33 stories tall – 150m(492ft).
Tochō has been in lots of Japanese films. The most famous one is the 1991 film Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah.
Difficulty ★★☆☆☆
Assembly time 2 hours
Finished size Unspecified
Download your PDF copy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Japan Mini Version so you can get started now.
National Museum of Western Art
The National Museum of Western Art (国立西洋美術館, Kokuritsu Seiyō Bijutsukan) is the premier Japanese public art gallery that specializes in Western art. It is in Ueno Park, Tokyo.
The museum houses about 4,500 works spanning the 14th through the 20th century. The museum was the dream of Matsukata Kojiro (1865–1950), a Japanese industrialist who collected western art. His personal art collection forms the basis of the museum’s collection.
Le Corbusier, a French architect, designed the Main Building, which is the only example of his work in the far east. Construction started in 1957 and was completed on June 10, 1959.
In July 2016, UNESCO designated the museum a World Heritage Site.
Difficulty ★☆☆☆☆
Assembly time 1 hour
Finished size Unspecified
Follow the link to the National Museum of Western Art, Japan Mini Version PDF so that you can get started.
Final Thoughts
It is nice to find something as practical as tatebanko. You can use paper dioramas to fulfill many teaching objectives in a single lesson. Plus, making one of these projects enriches the experience leading to higher retention.
Who knows, an excited child can use it to explain the lesson to the rest of the family when you all talk about what you did today.
Explore Further
Are you looking for more paper diorama projects? Then you’ll want to look at Aubry’s Guide To Tatebanko: Japanese Paper Diorama Art.