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I have always been fascinated by the Sonobe/Takahama's unit because of its ability to make endless variations of modular units by using different number of the basic unit. I call it Sonobe/Takahama's unit as I believe the module should be credited to both Mitsubono Sonobe and Toshie Takahama but for brevity, I shall just called it by its most well known name, the Sonobe's unit.
The basic unit itself can be varied to show the other side of the paper, so when the paper used has different colours on both sides, the final product can be very colourful.
In the examples below, the maximum number of units I had used is 30.
The units below are created by various people, some
by me. Just by playing with the paper, it is possible to get some of the
results below. I hesitate to claim the creation as mine as I am aware that
others may have already done it before me. I hesitate to identify which
unit was from which creator as others may have done it earlier.
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All these are variations of the Sonobe/Takahama's
unit. The necessary number of units of each were folded to get a cube.
Some of the units have the same outward appearance but have a different
folding sequence.
The cube that uses the original Sonobe/Takahama's
unit is the first cube in the front row.
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| All these are variations of the Sonobe/Takahama's
unit. The necessary number of units of each were folded to get a cube.
Some of the units have the same outward appearance but have a different
folding sequence.
Note that the cube usually consists of 6 basic units but some uses only 2, some 3 and some as many as 12. |
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Using Lewis Simon's technique.
I consider this a variation of the Sonobe's unit too. |
There are actually more variations than this. Why don't you try it?
More examples of modular units using different number
of Sonobe/Takahama's unit fitted together.
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How to fold
I have no wish to repeat the folding instructions when they are so readily available and so many generous people are willing to share. Instructions to folding the Sonobe's module and its variations can be found at: (Please ask for permission if you wish to use them)
Magic Rose Cube
I consider the Magic Rose Cube by Valerie Vann as a beautiful variation of the Sonobe's unit. Two slightly different sets of modules are used, 3 for the petals of the rose and 3 for the leaves. When completely assembled, it forms a cube. When the flaps of the cube are pulled, it opens into a beautiful rose.
I shall leave it to Valerie Vann to describe her MRC in her own webpages.
Have fun playing with them!
