People are often loathe to part with their books, even after they’ve finished reading them. Thick, hardbound editions in particular have a sense of presence that entices literature lovers to hang on to them.
Sure, maybe you’re never going to go back and leaf through that heavy tome again, but doesn’t it look stately as it sits on the shelf? It might, but it would look a lot cooler if you used the pages to make one of these amazing folded paper pieces of art.
Yuto Yamaguchi is the patient and inventive individual behind OruFun, which combines the word oru (Japanese for “to fold”) with, well fun.
https://instagram.com/p/5rqWHIJ-wt/
By precisely folding the hundreds of pages in a book, Yamaguchi creates 3-D images. For those looking to reproduce his works, he offers OruFun patterns in downloadable format through Etsy, priced at US$7.99 each. Each pattern description includes the required page size and number to complete the design.
These aren’t rudimentary shapes, either. Check out the perspective employed on this scene of a rabbit on the moon, a popular motif in Japanese folktales.
https://instagram.com/p/tBEnUOp-6c/
Then there’s this profile of a bride about to walk down the aisle, which even accounts for the transparency of her veil.
https://instagram.com/p/tg7jELJ-yD/
Sometimes, the linguistic cycle comes full circle, as Yamaguchi folds up papers covered with words to spell out new ones.
https://instagram.com/p/2Qy6CBJ-00/
Other times, though, there’s no need to explicitly state the film that’s inspiring him, like with the signature silhouette of The Little Mermaid’s Ariel.
https://instagram.com/p/s43LlOJ-_o/
▼ More ocean life
https://instagram.com/p/rCckySp-_c/
▼ Warming the heart
https://instagram.com/p/6Fb1d0J-5r/
▼ Warming the body
https://instagram.com/p/5KNCMcp-yg/
But while the combination of crafts and books might make you think Yamaguchi is a completely mellow guy with nothing but the quietest of hobbies, he’s also a huge fan of American professional wrestling, specifically the WWE variety.
https://instagram.com/p/4sp-0Bp-_z/
As a matter of fact, Yamaguchi seems to have a soft spot for American-style action in general.
https://instagram.com/p/54iMQwp-5P/
https://instagram.com/p/1emGrUp-80/
▼ Robots in disguise…as books!
https://instagram.com/p/qpTs9rJ-1Z/
https://instagram.com/p/xJENIjp-41/
https://instagram.com/p/shxmX7J-xX/
It’s especially cool that the book’s hardcover operates like a stand, eliminating the need for any framing or mounting to display the artwork.
https://instagram.com/p/zB-2lup-0S/
And while Yamaguchi clearly has a fondness for books, he’s no Luddite, as this OruFun project proves.
https://instagram.com/p/wshTqyp-1j/
▼ Just the thing for someone who likes new media as well as old
https://instagram.com/p/zUY9ffp-6s/
You can check out the rest of Yamaguchi’s work on his Etsy page here. Oh, and don’t woryy if you love the look but can’t bear the thought of folding up a book of your own (possibly making a mistake along the way), because completed OruFun books are available as well.
Related: OruFun Etsy page, Instagram/yutoyamaguchi

Forget dog-earing and bookmarks that fall, make your own easy origami bookmark instead!
British artist gives us awesome 3-D art of life-like Pokémon! 【Pics & Video】
The Japanese art of making trash containers from old papers
What if Avengers: Endgame was an ukiyo-e woodblock painting series? It’d look awesome like this
Cafe in Tokyo serves custom 2-D and 3-D latte art, and their coffee is nothing to sniff at either
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Japan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Bandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
Shinto shrine will bless your bike helmet and give you a sacred bike helmet stamp
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
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
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
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