Most people who have a fondness for Japan have encountered origami at one point or another. It’s certainly one of the most famous of the Japanese paper arts and the origami crane carries so much more meaning than a simple piece of paper.
Another Japanese art that utilizes the complexities of paper is kirie, or paper cutting art. All it takes is a craft knife, a little dedication and free time and you can turn a black piece of paper into a stand-out work of art. Looking for a new hobby this winter vacation? Look no further than kirie!
Mentions of kirie date back to even before the Nara Period and used in ceremonies for the different Japanese gods. Nowadays though, it’s a craft/hobby with fans around the world. It’s pretty easy to see how kirie has become popular nowadays, as kirie projects are just calling to you whenever you open any manga.
One Japanese Internet user has shared her works online with the simple title of “Had a craft knife and some time, so I decided to learn kirie.” The results are pretty awesome.
The incredibly talented artist only started kirie two years ago, and she has already produced some really amazing and intricate pieces of art.
▼A little Hatsune Miku and one of the first kirie the artist made.
▼Other earlier work. It’s so cute!
▼The complexities of figuring out where to cut sometimes lead to mistakes.
▼Not limited to just anime characters either.
▼You can hunt some monsters this way as well.
▼Final Fantasy X-2 Yuna
▼She doesn’t stop with just Hatsune Miku, here’s Luka!
▼Taking time with The Beatles
▼Gintama would make a heck of a greeting card.
▼Old Snake still makes a Solid Snake.
Not satisfied with simple black outlines, the artist also decided to add some color to her work. At first glance it might look like she mounted the kirie and then painted inside of it.
However, upon closer inspection, you can tell it’s actually more cut paper! Even the shadows have been meticulously cut out and added to the art in order to give it that unbelievable depth.
▼Here she is adding hair accessories to an already completed head profile.
▼A colored version of Luka.
▼How does she end up with this?
▼Here are some in-progress shots so you can see just how detailed the work is.
▼A colored version of Yuna.
Whether these pictures intimidate you into never picking up a craft knife, or inspire you head to the arts and craft store, we can all appreciate the beauty and effort that went into them.
3-D paper-cutting artist shows off masterpieces made from single piece of paper【Pics】
This artist will wow you with a skillful modern twist on kirie, traditional Japanese cutout art
How to make Ukrainian flag origami crane paper
Night of paper-folding with a Japanese friend leads to creation of beautiful “origami jewellery”
How origami changed the life of a Japanese woman in the U.S.
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Skyscraper sized Pokémon cards to appear in Tokyo all year long in Tocho projection mapping event
We take a cat yoga class at a Japanese rescue cat cafe
Crane games in Japanese convenience stores getting more and more popular, especially with tourists
Japanese communities giving their skylines a spring clean and saying goodbye to power lines
A look inside the “Ghost Tower” of Bangkok, Thailand’s abandoned skyscraper
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster
Legendary pie cafe Anna Miller’s finally returns to Tokyo after three-year absence
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Is Sapporio’s Snow Festival awesome enough to be worth visiting even if you hate the snow? [Pics]
Japan has trams that say “sorry” while they ride around town…but why?
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Jaw-dropping anime-style paper craft fan art is the ultimate otaku origami【Photos】
Artist takes paper planes to the next level, builds tiny seats complete with tray tables【Video】
Japanese Twitter user makes unbelievable origami artwork out of a single piece of paper【Pics】
Foreign shoppers in Akihabara tip us off to an awesome souvenir idea: DIY Paper Theater kit【Pics】
Studio Ghibli anime Paper Shadow Art craft kits back in stock in time for the holidays【Pics】
Do NOT eat this delicious looking bento and other Japanese food…because they’re not food!【Pics】
Calling all artists! Japanese printing service campaign prints your own art on paper samples
Twitter artist crafts chocolate box town, mini masterpieces from Japanese packaging
Can you figure it out? Japanese man creates puzzling perpetual motion machine from paper【Video】
Beloved Japanese paper craft wizard turns cookie box into a gorgeous sculpture
Ghibli Paper Theater craft kits are back to end your stocking stuffer/souvenir search【Photos】
Make miniatures of your miniatures with this kit from Mozu
What’s so special about Japanese swords? We interview master katana maker Norihiro Miyairi!