Kirie (切り絵) is the delicate art of papercutting. The more detailed the drawing, the higher the difficulty in cutting it out perfectly. Here, we introduce the “Octopus”, a representative artwork of Kirie.
Header Image : Twitter Link
Representative Masterpiece “Octopus”
Kiriken Masayo (@kiriken16) is the artist behind the “Octopus”, a representative artwork of Kirie, and her masterpiece. As we mentioned above, the more detailed the design, the harder it is to perfectly cut it out, and the “Octopus” is a very detailed drawing. Here’s a close up of the octopus’s head.
Source : https://kiriken.thebecos.com/en/masterpiece/
The drawing and careful shading of the Octopus to make it look realistic is difficult enough, but carefully cutting the minute pieces requires further precision and control. With only one cutter and one paper, there is no room for mistakes.
Source : https://kiriken.thebecos.com/en/masterpiece/
(Translation)
I was whining that I could not surpass this work, but am grateful to my colleagues who told me, “It’s wonderful that there is a representative work that comes to mind when thinking of Kirie.”
For me, this is it (my representative work)! that I will bring out as many times as I want!
#自分といえばな画像をあげる見た人もあげる
— 切り剣Masayo / 「切り剣 福田理代切り絵作品集」発売中 (@kiriken16) March 23, 2023
この作品が越えられないと度々泣き言を言っていた私に「切り剣といえばコレ！という代表作がある事自体が素晴らしい事」と言ってくれた仲間に感謝。
私といえばコレ！と何度でも出します。#切り絵 pic.twitter.com/jNNiQJdrJB
Writer's Pick
A Variety of Sea Creatures and Animals
Fukuda Masayo (福田 理代), under the creator name Kiriken Masayo, has always loved drawing. She fell in love with Kirie after making a papercut heart for a friend’s birthday card. After that, she continued to make paper cutouts in various motifs to decorate letters to family and friends. She pursued an education and later career in art, constantly honing her pencil drawing and paper cutting skills.
Below, we introduce some of her Kirie works that wowed us.
Prawn, Deep Sea Fish & King of Herrings
なんと、伸びてますね！(´∀｀*)
— 切り剣Masayo / 「切り剣 福田理代切り絵作品集」発売中 (@kiriken16) April 28, 2023
切り絵作家でこんな作品作っていますので興味のある方は作品も見てくださいませ。
作品集も出してますよー。
↓↓https://t.co/W67TDtn6TM#切り絵 pic.twitter.com/KUk9iXA5XB
Seahorse, Humpback Whale & Nautilus
白い紙を切り黒い背景に置く、カッターの切り口だけで表現する平面一枚切り絵。#見てくれこれがわたしのアイデンティティ#切り絵 pic.twitter.com/OTkmdMZzQh
— 切り剣Masayo / 「切り剣 福田理代切り絵作品集」発売中 (@kiriken16) April 25, 2023
Peacock
宮崎県立美術館にて5月20日から開催される
— 切り剣Masayo / 「切り剣 福田理代切り絵作品集」発売中 (@kiriken16) April 30, 2023
【日本の切り絵 7人のミューズ】
のポスターになっている孔雀です。
画像では伝わらないところもありますので是非実物を見て下さいね(´∀｀*)#切り絵 pic.twitter.com/gEzOAgyKJo
“Circulating Forest” featuring various woodland creatures
Safari Scenery with Elephant, Giraffes & Lion Pride
Twitter Link
おおおおおおお終わったあああああああああああああああああああああーーーー！！！！！！！！！！
— 切り剣Masayo / 「切り剣 福田理代切り絵作品集」発売中 (@kiriken16) April 23, 2023
デカかったー！！！！！！！
こんな大きい作品を作る機会をくれたご依頼主様に感謝！！！
自分からこのサイズはなかなか実行に移せなかったと思う。#切り絵 pic.twitter.com/pj1m8V6FrT
The Process of Kirie
The process of making Kirie starts with pencil drawing the draft.
会社の昼休みにミニ作品の下描き描き溜めてます。#切り絵#切り絵下描き pic.twitter.com/X6yaegmIbV
— 切り剣Masayo / 「切り剣 福田理代切り絵作品集」発売中 (@kiriken16) March 29, 2023
When the draft is completed, shading and all, then the cutting process begins.
To Close
里帰り中も切ってます٩( 'ω' )و#切り絵 pic.twitter.com/eC3SPDo8fb
— 切り剣Masayo / 「切り剣 福田理代切り絵作品集」発売中 (@kiriken16) May 5, 2023
Impressed by Kiriken Masayo’s amazing paper cutouts? We know we are.
Follow her social media for more of her works. Her Twitter account is updated regularly and even includes snippets of her daily life including adorable cats and kittens!
Photos provided courtesy of Kiriken Masayo (Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Official Website).
