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.
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japanese sweets souvenirs don’t get more beautiful than this
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Final Fantasy VII’s Sephiroth finds happiness in a canned cocktail[Video]
Kyoto’s Nishiki Market has great bento boxed lunches, and here are our top 3 picks
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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!