Kirigami Art – Learn the Art of Japanese Paper Crafts

Much like origami, kirigami is a Japanese paper art technique that has been practiced for centuries. Its namesake stems from the combination of two Japanese words. The first word is “kiru”, meaning cut. “Kami” is the second word, which means paper. It is a traditional art form involving the intricate cutting of paper to produce unique and three-dimensional designs. Kirigami is believed to originate from the traditional Japanese art style called “kirie”, which entails cutting paper into various shapes or designs. If you want to learn more about this fascinating and beautiful art style, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be delving into the topic of kirigami art.

Japanese Paper Cutting Art: What Is Kirigami?

Kirigami art is produced by folding a sheet of paper and cutting patterns into it with a sharp blade before unfolding the paper to reveal the final design. While origami requires only that you fold paper, kirigami challenges the artist to produce more intricate designs by cutting the paper as well.

Most kirigami art is not designed to serve any specific function besides for use as a decorative or display piece.

Kirigami art made out of business cards; cmpalmer from (optional), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The art of kirigami has been practiced in both China and Japan since as late back as the 6th and 7th centuries. The term itself, however, was coined by Florence Temko who introduced the art of kirigami to paper crafters of the Western world in 1962. Ever since, many different styles have evolved from the original concept.

History of Kirigami

The history of kirigami in Japan is long and rich, spanning as far back as the 7th century according to many historical accounts. Kirigami was popularized through its use in the creation of practical items such as screens and lanterns. Over the course of the many centuries since, kirigami has evolved and developed into the fascinating and complex art form that it is today.

Akira Yoshizawa is considered to be one of, if not the, most famous kirigami artists of all time. His work is often credited with the revolutionization of the original art of origami, and his contributions to the art of kirigami have been no less impactful.

Kirigami art at the 2015 Paris Book Fair; ActuaLitté, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Through his worldwide exhibitions, Yoshizawa has inspired many other artists to explore what endless possibilities lie in the art of kirigami. Masahiro Chatani is another famous kirigami artist whose works have been pivotal to the popularity of the art form. He is most well-known for his work in producing intricate and detailed kirigami sculptures. The subject matter of these sculptures most typically depicts scenes from everyday life and nature. Besides his numerous worldwide exhibitions, Chatani has also produced several books on the subject of kirigami.

Besides these few famous examples of kirigami artists, there are thousands more talented visionaries with their own unique approach to this art style all over the globe.

Kirigami Styles

Kirigami can be separated into several styles and techniques, and each comes with its own unique traditions and characteristics. Some of the more common styles include kirigami sculptures, pop-up cards, and kirigami patterns. Let us go over some of the most popular styles and techniques of kirigami.

Pop-Up Cards

Pop-up cards take the cake as the most popular form of kirigami art. To produce pop-up cards, you cut a series of slits and add folds into a piece of paper to produce a three-dimensional design that pops out from the page when the card is opened. There is no real limit to the different shapes and sizes one can produce, but simple shapes such as stars and hearts could be a great place for beginners to start.

Kirigami Sculptures

Another very popular form of kirigami art is the production of kirigami sculptures. To make them, you cut and fold a single sheet of paper to create any sort of three-dimensional object or subject. This form of kirigami requires a bit more experience and tends to consume more time, but the end results are often truly stunning.

Kirigami art resembling St Paul’s Cathedral; Bharath Kishore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kirigami Patterns

Kirigami patterns make their way onto the podium as one of the other most popular forms of kirigami art. Kirigami patterns are produced by cutting a sheet of paper into intricate patterns and designs. They can also be used for a variety of purposes, including as decorative paper for lanterns or even intricate wall hangings.

Make Your Own Kirigami Art

If you are interested in learning Japanese paper crafts, we can suggest a few easy kirigami projects for you to try. There are plenty of simple and inexpensive projects to get you on the right track. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Make your own pop-up cards. Start with a basic design, such as a heart or a star, and work your way up to more complex designs once you become more comfortable with the technique.
• Create a bookmark with a simple kirigami design. You can create something with a flower or a butterfly as the design, which would make great gifts for book lovers.
• You can create beautiful paper snowflakes using the kirigami technique. These are perfect for holiday decorations or as a fun winter craft project.
• Create decorative lanterns using the kirigami technique. These can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be decorated with patterns or designs to create a unique and beautiful look.
• You can produce a series of animal designs using the kirigami technique. These can be used as decorative elements or even as part of a larger art project.
• Create a colorful and eye-catching mobile for your toddler using the kirigami technique. This can be hung on a window or used as a decoration in a child’s room.

These are but a few examples of the many easy kirigami projects you could attempt to produce. When it comes to kirigami, the possibilities truly are endless. With a little bit of patience and a bit more practice, anyone can create beautiful and intricate designs using this antique art form.

In addition to being a fun and rewarding pastime, kirigami can also have a therapeutic effect on the mind and body. The repetitive nature of cutting and folding paper can help to calm a restless mind and subsequently reduce stress, making it a great activity for people of all ages. To start out, you can search for a kirigami template for any of these projects online!

All in all, kirigami is a beautiful and unique art form that has served as a creative avenue for the imaginations of artists across the globe for centuries. Whether you are a veteran artist with tons of experience or a spry beginner looking for your next arts and crafts hobby, the Japanese paper-cutting art of kirigami would be a fun and rewarding way to explore your creativity and produce some visually stunning workpieces. We hope that you have enjoyed our deep dive into this facet of Japanese paper crafts. We also hope that our section on easy kirigami projects has inspired you on how you would wish to explore this art form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Kirigami?

Kirigami is a traditional art form involving the intricate cutting of paper to produce unique, three-dimensional designs. Kirigami is believed to originate from the traditional Japanese art style called kirie, which entails cutting paper into various shapes or designs. You can download a kirigami template from the internet and print it onto paper if you would like to try out this exciting art style.

When Did Kirigami Start?

The practice of kirigami has been dated as late back as the 6th and 7th centuries when both China and Japan frequently made use of the technique to produce decorative features. The term itself, however, is more contemporary and was coined by Florence Temko, who introduced the art of kirigami to paper crafters of the West in 1962. Ever since, many different styles have evolved from the original concept.

Is Making Kirigami Art Therapeutic?

Besides being a fun and rewarding pastime, kirigami is also known to have a therapeutic effect on one’s psychological and physiological well-being. The repetitive nature of cutting and folding paper can help to calm a restless mind and subsequently reduce stress, making it a great activity for people of all ages.

Liam Davis( Editor-in-Chief, Writer and Art Historian )

Liam Davis is an experienced art historian with demonstrated experience in the industry. After graduating from the Academy of Art History with a bachelor’s degree, Liam worked for many years as a copywriter for various art magazines and online art galleries. He also worked as an art curator for an art gallery in Illinois before working now as editor-in-chief for artfilemagazine.com. Liam’s passion is, aside from sculptures from the Roman and Greek periods, cave paintings, and neolithic art.

Learn more about Liam Davis and about us.