Chigiri-E - The Traditional Japanese Paper Art    NEW!

Chigiri-E is a Japanese art form dating back to 800AD. Originally, images are created from hand-torn colored Japanese rice paper called Washi.  No cutting to create soft edges and natural shapes. Today, other paper type such as recycled paper, origami, newspaper etc could be used.

In this class, participants tear paper into pieces and layer them to create images resembling watercolor paintings, adding texture and depth through the natural frayed edges of the paper. This ancient technique, dating back to Japan's Heian period, uses handmade papers, sometimes dyed with natural pigments, and often combines with calligraphy for decorative subjects like flowers and landscapes, offering a unique visual effect that changes up close versus from afar. 

Chigiri-E is a Japanese art form dating back to 800AD. Originally, images are created from hand-torn colored Japanese rice paper called Washi.  No cutting to create soft edges and natural shapes. Today, other paper type such as recycled paper, origami, newspaper etc could be used.

In this class, participants tear paper into pieces and layer them to create images resembling watercolor paintings, adding texture and depth through the natural frayed edges of the paper. This ancient technique, dating back to Japan's Heian period, uses handmade papers, sometimes dyed with natural pigments, and often combines with calligraphy for decorative subjects like flowers and landscapes, offering a unique visual effect that changes up close versus from afar.