切り絵 (kirie) is a picture made by paper cutting, a type of art popular in many places around the world.
Saito Hiroki is one kirie artist in Japan. Their work mainly consists of landscapes in Japan, both of buildings in the city, and nature.
Let’s take a look at some of their incredibly detailed work, posted on their Twitter account, @kiriehiro.
A Variety of Landscapes
Here are just some of Saito Hiroki’s impressive works, from cityscapes, illuminations, and nature!
Cityscape
This is true of all of their work, but it’s especially clear through the cityscape pictures - Saito takes photos of different places which they then use to base their kirie on. But not only is it realistic, but it brings out the beauty of a scene you might see or walk past every day in the city.
Original Tweet
Original Tweet
Illumination
In winter, Japan has a lot of illumination events, where pretty colorful lights are strung up around the city, often in blocks and focused in certain areas, for people to enjoy.
Saito captures them beautifully and impressively in kirie form!
Original Tweet
And fireworks as well!
Nature
A lot of Saito’s work features the sky, trees, and flowers. Each are very intricately detailed and each piece not only captures the scene but evokes emotion as well.
Original Tweet
Original Tweet
Writer's Pick
The Process
Although they don’t clearly outline their process on their account, this is what can be pieced together through Saito's posts.
Saito starts by cutting out the picture on black paper. Their pieces are so intricate that they call the little bits of paper that get cut out “sesame and salt”.
The works, especially with multiple colors, may have multiple layers.
And what’s especially impressive about Saito is that they carefully paint the backgrounds of the kirie themselves, which also takes a long time the more detailed the picture!
For example, this is the back of the sakura cherry blossom picture from above.
Even with the mini sized works, they cut out the kirie on the black paper;
and paint the backgrounds;
then put it together!
To Close
Saito hopes that through their work, more people will come to understand and appreciate kirie, a beautiful art form!
Check out Saito’s main account and artwork post account on Twitter.
Photos provided courtesy of Saito Hiroki on Twitter
