Kirigami

paper art · Japanese craft · cutting and folding

Cutting plus folding. Kirigami combines two techniques: you fold paper just like in origami, but you also make strategic cuts to create intricate patterns and shapes. This mix of cutting and folding lets artists make designs that stand up and out from the page in amazing ways.

No glue needed. Unlike many paper crafts, kirigami doesn't use any glue or tape. The cuts and folds hold everything together all by themselves, making it a pure and simple art form.

Japanese tradition. Kirigami comes from Japan and is related to origami, the famous art of paper folding. The word comes from two Japanese words: 'kiru' meaning to cut and 'kami' meaning paper.

Pops into 3D. When you open up a kirigami creation, it transforms into a three-dimensional sculpture. Because of the cuts and folds, the paper naturally springs up and creates depth, unlike flat origami designs.

Precision and planning. Creating kirigami requires careful planning about where to cut and fold so the final design looks balanced and beautiful. Even small mistakes in cutting can change how the whole piece looks.