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
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
What’s inside Japan’s super-rare, super-popular Nara bread?
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Godiva runs full-page ad asking Japanese women to stop buying so much Valentine’s chocolate
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Yoshinoya invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
The 6 best frozen foods at a Japanese grocery store
The little-known inspiration for Princess Mononoke: A manga about a tribe in Papua New Guinea
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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