WHAT IS CHIGIRI-E?
"Chigiri" means to tear or shred, and "e" means picture in Japanese. Chigiri-e is a Japanese-style paper collage created using hand-dyed Washi paper to create realistic or abstract images, frameable art, cards, and an endless number of modern-day crafts. The fibers of the Washi allow for ideal layering and soft textures that look similar to a watercolor or oil painting.
What is Chigiri-e?
A short video showing the 3 simple steps to Chigiri-e
Washi is a traditionally-made paper that dates back to the eighth century, and is often still made by hand today. Making Washi is a long process: kozo (mulberry), bamboo, hemp, rice, or wheat plant bark is soaked in clear river water, boiled to thicken, then beaten and filtered through a gridiron and dried in sheets in sunlight for a natural, soft finish. The beauty of Washi papers are treasured throughout Japan, and they are still used today for everything from interior design to traditional arts, letter writing, and books. Washi has been recognized by UNESCO as being a part of Japan's Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Want to know more about Chigiri-e?
You'll find all the information - from full details about each of the six motifs to how washi is made - in this guide!
Click on the button below to start downloading a Free PDF version of our guide.
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The Complete Chigiri-e Course Package
Our course includes 6 beautiful motifs, all the tools necessary, lifetime access to tutorials, and the ability to speak to our on-demand instructor via messaging.
Chigiri-e Project Kits
Our Chigiri-e Project Kits are individual motifs with various styles. They are perfect for both beginners and advanced Chigiri-e users. Each Project Kit includes Washi paper necessary for creating the motif, printed instructions, and lifetime access to our online learning center where you can learn techniques. Each motif is either a greeting card or art board size.
*tools are NOT included with our Project Kits, sold separately
Halloween Bundle
$29.00 $48.00
Two Halloween motifs in this bundle kit! A 40% saving when you buy this Halloween bundle. $48 → $29Ghosts Are Made For Scaring!Card Size(L): 5.1 x...
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Ghosts Are Made For Scaring!
$24.00
A Spooky Arts and Crafts Project with A Traditional Japanese Twist! Card Size(L): 5.1 x 8.3 inchesLevel: Beginner On a spooky full-moon night, the bats...
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Let's Carve Pumpkins!
$24.00
A Traditional Washi Paper Craft With A Modern Twist Card Size(L): 5.1 x 8.3 inchesLevel: Intermediate Let's carve the pumpkins! What are your carving ideas this...
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Balloon Flowers (Large)
$32.00
Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate Balloon flowers earned their name from their balloon-like buds as depicted in this Chigiri-e motif. They open to...
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Hibiscus
$24.00
Card Size: 4 x 6 inches Level: Beginners This beautiful state flower of Hawaii will bring Summer to your home as a decoration or for that special someone. This...
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Aster
$24.00
Card Size: 4 x 6 inches Level: Intermediate Aster is a pretty wildflower that brings delightful color on the roadside and gardens in the late summer and autumn. It...
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Japanese Globe Flowers
$32.00
An Asian Arts and Crafts Project Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate Pretty yellow flowers that grow on the side of ravines. The slender flower-decked...
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Balloon Flowers (small)
$24.00
Traditional Japanese Arts and Crafts Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Intermediate The contrast between the purple petals and the yellow center of the flower look...
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Camellia
$24.00
Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Intermediate In the world of the Japanese tea ceremony, the camellia is known as the queen of tea house flowers. Gracing...
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Anemone
$32.00
An Advanced Chigiri-e Challenge Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Advanced A gorgeous but gentle blossom. In the Greek legend, the anemone was the flower...
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Autumn flowers
$32.00
A Colorful Washi Paper Project Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate Flowers that brighten the autumn fields are gathered here on a splendid golden...
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Bellflowers
$24.00
Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Intermediate The large pale purple bell-shaped flowers bloom in early summer. Their downward droop is strikingly graceful and it is...
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Bunch of Japanese daisies
$24.00
Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Advanced Gift this beautiful bouquet on a celebratory occasion such as a wedding. The combination of yellow and pink...
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Bush clovers
$32.00
Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Advanced Bush clovers swaying in the moonlight are a sight which exemplifies the wabi-sabi (quiet and subdued refinement) aesthetic...
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Carnation
$24.00
Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Advance The carnation is characterized by its many frilled petals. Use the fibers in the washi to capture the same...
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Cherries
$24.00
Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Beginner Tear the yellow and red-dyed washi in exactly the right places to create a wonderful 3D effect to your...
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Cherry blossoms
$24.00
Card Size: 4.7 x 5.3 inchesLevel: Advanced Japan's favorite flower. Cherry blossoms bloom from March through April, which is when graduation and entrance ceremonies are...
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Chicks
$24.00
A Perfect First Step Into Chigiri-e Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Beginner These baby chicks waddling along on a green carpet bright with flowers...
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Noshi
$24.00
Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Beginner A kind of ceremonial folded origami attached to celebratory offerings and gifts, to express and express good tidings....
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Clematis
$24.00
A Washi Paper Japanese Arts and Crafts Project Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Intermediate The six purple petals of the clematis bloom boldly. Draw...
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Color Your Heart Out!
$24.00
A Beginner Chigiri-e Creation Kit Card Size(L): 5.1 x 8.3 inchesLevel: Beginner Create a one-of-a-kind gift using this fun Japanese paper craft kit!Trace & tear...
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Convolvulus
$24.00
Traditional Japanese Washi Paper Crafts Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Intermediate In the corners of fields strongly scented with the smell of grass under...
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Crane couple
$32.00
A Traditional Japanese Art Kit Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate This piece depicts a pair of courting cranes on a snowy field against...
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Double cherry blossoms
$32.00
Japanese Washi Paper Project Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate The cherry is the ultimate symbol of spring in Japan. Different varieties bloom at...
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Gladiolus
$24.00
A Colorful Washi Paper Project Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Intermediate Gladiolus blooms from the end of July through August and this piece is created...
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Grapes
$32.00
Traditional Arts and Crafts Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate The delicious-looking bunch of richly fruiting grapes conveys their wonderful weightiness with the way...
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Iris
$32.00
A Chigiri-e Project with Washi Paper Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate In June and July, overcast skies cover the whole country. This is...
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Japanese Thistle
$24.00
Traditional Japanese Thistle Art Project Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Advanced Distinguished by its narrow thread-like petals and leaves that spread out like wings, the...
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Japanese White Daisy
$32.00
A traditional Japanese art Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate In Japan, the Japanese daisy is considered an essential element in places for ancestral prayer....
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Love in a Cup
$24.00
A Chigiri-e Project Perfect For Beginners Card Size(L): 5.1 x 8.3 inchesLevel: Beginner You can never get a cup large enough to contain your love!...
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Maiko-san (apprentice geisha)
$32.00
Creating beautiful Japanese arts and crafts Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate On the evening of August 16 in the middle of summer, giant...
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Mom and Puppy Shibas
$24.00
A perfect chigiri-e beginner project Card Size(L): 5.1 x 8.3 inchesLevel: Beginner Do you have a great mom? Then make her smile with this charming...
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Peony
$24.00
A traditional Japanese paper craft Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Intermediate This flower is so stunning that it has traditionally been used as a metaphor...
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Plum Tree
$24.00
Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Beginner When Japanese people spot a plum tree in bloom, they know that spring isn't far away. The modest...
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Plum and Bush Warbler
$32.00
Challenge Yourself With This Traditional Japanese Washi Paper Art Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Advanced Since ancient times, the Japanese have regarded plum blossoms...
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Poppies
$32.00
A beautiful traditional Japanese arts and crafts project Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Intermediate In Japan, these big blooms light up summer meadows. The...
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Red Turnip
$24.00
An Intermediate Chigiri-e Project Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inches Level: Intermediate two huge leaves and the bright red of the mature turnip almost...
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Roses
$24.00
An Intermediate Arts and Crafts Project Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inches Level: Intermediate Three huge, deep red roses have bloomed. Every petal makes this piece...
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Sunflower
$32.00
An Advanced Arts and Crafts Project Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Advanced Featuring vivid yellow petals that shine like the sun, the sunflower is...
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Sweet Pea
$24.00
Card Size: 4 x 6 inches Level: Beginner Because its petals look like a butterfly about to fly away, the sweet pea symbolizes departure and new journey. The uneven pink...
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Teddy Bear
$32.00
An Excellent Beginner Arts and Crafts Project Board Size: 9.5 x 10.6 inchesLevel: Beginner Lounging there with its eyes closed, is this teddy bear having an...
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Three petite flowers + Frame
$45.00
Traditional Japanese Arts and Crafts Card Size: 3.0 x 3.0 inches eachLevel: Intermediate Express the splendor of spring with these three beautiful flowers: rose, corn poppy, and sweet...
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Violet
$24.00
An Advanced Arts and Crafts Project Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Advanced A pretty, incredibly fragile-looking little flower. Flowering from March to around May, violets swaying...
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Yacht
$24.00
An Intermediate Arts and Crafts Project Card Size: 4.0 x 5.9 inchesLevel: Intermediate This yacht sailing in the ocean against a bright summer sky brings...
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Your First Chigiri-e
$5.00
Includes everything you need to create your first Candle motif! - Washi- Yamato glue- instruction sheet- card (art board)- template- wood stick to mark the...
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Chigiri-e Starter Tools
$26.00
This set of starter tools that you can use to begin making your own Japanese creations includes:Glue / Brush / Water Brush Pen / Teaspoon...
View full product detailsThinking Outside the Box
Both our Course and Project Kits is included with enough Washi paper to create the motifs at least twice (depending on motif). Our Washi paper can be created on most materials including paper, glass, aluminum, etc. Let your creativity run free and see what you can create.
