There is a particular kind of satisfaction in folding a box that actually holds its shape — no glue, no tape, just a single square of paper coaxed into something useful. The Kakubako, or square barrel box, is one of those folds: a structured little container with clean angular walls that looks far more complicated than it is. It earns a spot on your desk holding paper clips or a few treats, and it makes a quietly impressive handmade gift box. The sequence has a couple of fiddly moments, but take them slowly and the corners will fall into place beautifully. If you've folded a few boxes before and want something with a bit more character, this is the perfect next step. Let's fold one together.

How to Fold a Square Barrel Box

STEP 1. 15 cm origami, 1 sheet

[ 1 ] Fold it in half in the middle.

[ 2 ] Fold it in half in the middle.

[ 3 ] Unfold it again.

[ 4 ] Fold it along the dotted line.

* At this point, the bottom is the center of the paper and the top is the edge.

[ 5 ] Turn it over.

[ 6 ] Fold it along the dotted line.

[ 7 ] Open the inside and fold it into a square base.

It should look like this.

[ 8 ] Fold it along the dotted line.

* At this point, the top is the center of the paper and the bottom is the edge.

[ 9 ] Fold the back side in the same way.

[ 10 ] Open the part you just folded and fold it as shown in the picture.

[ 11 ] Once both the left and right sides are folded this way, fold the back side in the same manner.

[ 12 ] Tilt the left side to the right and fold it. Fold the back side in the same way.

[ 13 ] Valley-fold along the dotted line.

[ 14 ] Fold the back side in the same way.

[ 15 ] Open the part you just folded.

[ 16 ] Open the back side in the same way, then turn the model over.

[ 17 ] Valley-fold along the dotted line.

[ 18 ] Valley- and mountain-fold along the dotted lines.

[ 19 ] Valley-fold along the dotted line.

[ 20 ] Valley-fold along the dotted line and tuck it inside.

[ 21 ] This forms the shape. Then fold the back side in the same way.

[ 22 ] Fold the left side to the right. Fold the back side in the same way.

[ 23 ] Open both sides. Open the back side in the same way.

[ 24 ] Fold it in the same way as steps [ 17 ] to [ 21 ]. Fold the back side in the same way.

[ 25 ] Once both sides are folded, open the top.

It is complete.

Some steps were a little tricky to fold, but did it work out?