Celebrate the Year of the Horse by folding your own origami horse.
In 2026, Japan welcomes the Year of the Horse, the seventh sign of the zodiac. Horses have long been seen as auspicious in Japan, appearing in festivals, on ema (wooden plaques at shrines on which people write wishes), and in folk crafts such as the colourful Yawata uma from Aomori, which are thought to bring happiness to families.
Download our activity sheet to discover the horse’s luck-bringing role in Japanese cultures, and learn how to fold a playful origami horse that can even do a somersault.
Share your completed origami horses on social media using #japanhouselondon and tag us @japanhouseldn.