Tatebanko - The lost art of Paper Dioramas

Tatebanko is the Japanese art of making dioramas out of paper. Typically the diorama is housed inside a paper box and portrays some kind of scene. It was very popular in the 17th century but fell to the wayside and was almost lost to time. But, in recent years it has gained a revival and you can enjoy this wonderful pursuit with very little materials. You generally need a ruler, scissors, and glue or glue stick.

This project is copyrighted©2009 Stormthecastle.com All Rights Reserved You can print this up for personal or classroom use without restriction but you cannot reproduce this project with the intent to make a profit or post it to a website without express written consent of the author Will Kalif. Please email for requests.

I also have an empty tatebanko box that you can download and assemble if you want to make your own project. This is a fun way to get started in the hobby. The Empty Tatebanko Box

I also have a selection of Tatebanko Paper Dioramas that you can purchase of Amazon.com

Japanese Art Paper Diorama Kit: Lake View

I have here a complete tatebanko project that you can download, print out and put together yourself. It is a castle.

The completed project

Make a tatebanko castle workbook

The Picture at left shows the seven page workbook you print up and cut out to make your castle. It is in Microsoft Word format. You can download it by clicking here: Tatebanko Castle Workbook

How to Build this Castle:

Things needed for this project

You need to print up the seven page workbook and then you will need scissors, glue or glue stick, some kind of an object to score the fold lines (optional) and some very thin cardboard. You can use the cardboard from a cereal box but thinner careboard would be better. I used a box that held bags of tea and I used some old file folders which work perfectly if you don't mind the manila color.

What's in this package? You have almost everything you need to make a tatebanko castle which includes 5 pages of drawings to cut out and put together and this instruction sheet. You will need scissors, glue or glue stick and some type of thin cardboard. Card stock really works well and Cereal box cardboard can be used but is a bit thick. To make the best tatebanko castle possible try to find a thin cardboard that is thinner than cereal box cardboard.

Assembly Directions: When cutting out the items a solid line means cut and a dashed line means fold. Do not cut the dashed lines!

Note: You can follow the numbers starting at #1 but after doing #12 do #14 next then finish with #13.

I recommend you glue down, or glue stick down, the 5 sheets of drawings in their entirety to your cardboard before cutting things out. This will make the cutting and folding much easier.
When doing a fold you should score the fold line with a sharp object before attempting the fold. This will make a nice crisp fold. You can use some type of a hobby knife but just be sure not to cut completely through the cardboard. The object of scoring is to deeply score but not cut through.
Begin by cutting out the base labeled "1". To this you cut out the numbered pieces in order and glue them down to the base in the numbered positions. Do this for parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8 and finally 8a.
Next you cut out and glue the back piece #9 to the base. The glue tab on the bottom of piece 9 should be on the underneath side of the base #1. Do not glue it so it is on the top of #1.
Next cut out and glue both sides 10 and 11 to the base and back.
Cut out and glue the front piece 14 then last you should cut out and glue 13 to the top.

Score the paper before folding Some Further Tips: When folding the paper it is good to score a deep line in it first using some kind of tool and a ruler. This will make it much easier to fold and will make your folds much crisper and sharper.

The pieces are glued to the base The general way of building a project like this is to glue all the pieces down to the bottom then add the back, sides, front and top.

A Web visitor has made this tatebanko diorama kit and created a video. Here it is:

I have lots of other Paper Projects

Make a Paper and cardboard Castle

If you are looking for an easier castle to make you might want to try this one! - Make a castle

I have a more challenging Paper Castle. It is the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. If you are looking for a more dramatic castle this project is for you. The Neuschwanstein Paper Castle Project

The Black Dragon paper Castle- This is my latest paper castle project and currently the castle is completed but the tutorial is not. You can check on the progress of this project here: The Black Dragon Paper Castle

Looking for another castle to build? Here are some great projects

	Make This Model Medieval Castle (Usborne Cut-Out Models) I was given this project as a gift and thoroughly enjoyed it. You need to have some paper working skill to make it come out really good. I used a little too much glue when attaching the parts to the base so the base came out just a little wrinkled. When you do a project like this always be sparing with the glue. The subtle colors of this model are really nice.

	Castles to Cut Out and Put Together

	Cut & Assemble a Medieval Castle: A Full-Color Model of Caernarvon Castle in Wales

	Make This Medieval Village (Cut Outs)

	Diorama of Quebec City: Scale Architectual Paper Model

	Easy-to-Make Castle (Models & Toys)

	Days of Knights and Damsels: An Activity Guide (A Kid's Guide series)