Origami and Torn Paper Art

    Origami means ‘paper folding.’ ‘Folding’ is an important aspect of Japanese culture. Whether one is dealing with kimono, paper, or furoshiki cloth, it takes ‘folding.’ Out of a piece of origami paper, which is a square sheet of paper, various objects are created, sometimes simple and other times quite intricate.

    Torn paper art, or chigiri-e, uses washi, Japanese paper. It is a collage art made with finger torn paper. Because washi contains strong fibers the edge makes delicate and subtle lines when it is torn.