Launching a Rocket

A contemporary action string figure created by Tama Saito of Saitama, Japan. Ms. Saito created the figure by further manipulating a traditional Japanese string figure called Hanakago ("A Flower Basket").

<Full-length video in Windows Media Player>

Step-by-Step Video Clips
 Written Instructions

          
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  all

© 2010 ISFA. All rights reserved.

 Step 5 - 1 enters double 2 loop from below and hooks down double 2f.

With fingers pointing away to reveal the design's symmetry, 2 hooks up 5n while 1 picks up 5f; as both return to an upright position the double loop surrounding 1 and 2 slips off.

You have a three-dimensional intermediate figure called Hanakago ("A Flower Basket"), as viewed from above. Note that an upper and lower horizontal string span the center of the design.