Jeepney Press March-April 2023

Kirie: Japanese Art of Paper Cutting

by Alma Fatagani-Sato

If you are someone who likes to try your luck on creativity, you might find Japan an interesting place to be in.

There are many shops that offer handicraft kits that already include all the materials you will need and an instruction manual, which unfortunately, is only in Japanese.

I have tried so many of the said kits and I find the “kiri-e” (Japanese paper cutting) very interesting. A paper can be cut in many ways, by using scissors, knife, cutter, or just by tearing them. However, the one that interests me is cutting paper using a special type of blade that has a pointed triangular edge.

Almost every country around the world engages in the art of paper cutting. In the Philippines, there is the “parol” (a lantern made of paper), the “banderitas” (bunting) fiesta decoration and the wrappers used to cover the “pastillas de leche” (milk candy) are all products of paper cutting.

Paper cutting first appeared during the Han dynasty in 4th century AD after the Chinese official, Cai Lun invented paper in 105 AD.

In Japan, it is believed to have started after 610 AD when Tesuki Washi paper, invented in China, was brought to Japan by Doncho, a Buddhist monk from Korea. By 800 AD, the Japanese perfected the skill of paper making and it became commercialized, it is called Sekishu washi. During the Edo Period (1603 – 1867), there was an abundance of Japanese washi, as such “Kamikiri” (papercutting performance) was developed.

Presently, paper cutting continues in Japan in many forms such as greeting cards, framed art, paper cut sculptures, etc.

Traditionally, the Japanese art of paper cutting uses only one sheet of paper and cut into any design from simple to the most intricate ones.

Nowadays, there are many different styles that have developed throughout the years.

by Alma Fatagani-Sato