Chigirie
Japanese Torn Paper Collage Art
Original Hand Torn Japanese Art
By Paper Artist, Joan M. Matsui

Chigirie, Japanese Torn Paper Collage art is the Japanese art of tearing paper to create a collage, it's also known as painting with paper.

The Great Horned Owl commission is finished. Not long ago, I added my "hanko" stamp, signed the piece and delivered it to Norma so she could give it to her son, Bob as a gift for his 40th birthday.

Now that was fun! For weeks prior to starting the piece, I panicked. I didn't have the perfect paper and layering several different shades and textures produced nothing more than a muddy look. Then, VOILA! I found an internet site, Paper Jade, and ordered several packages of paper. I've added a link to Paper Jade's web site on Page 2.

Back to the owl project. Take a look at a photo of a Great Horned Owl; there is no possible way I would be able to simulate rows and rows of HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL layers. So, what did I do? I used torn pieces of a speckled beige colored paper and added soft white fluff and highlights of black and tan paper as needed.

This is the energy I've mentioned on this web site. In my case, art generates that type of energy. Life is most certainly more enjoyable when we as human beings are entranced and stirred by our work. Sure, we might feel ho-hum some days but the vast percentage of our days are typically spent in a highly energized and creative state of being.  

We had a successful show at the Wyoming County Courthouse show and I sold two pieces, one original and one print.

Currently, I have an exhibit through the month of July at Northern Lights Espresso Bar on Spruce Street in Scranton. My next upcoming exhibit will open on Friday, August  at St. Luke's Episcopal Church as part of the First Friday art walk. On September 19, my next exhibit will open at Everything Natural on State Street in Clarks Summit. That exhibit will run through the end of the October. Sometime in between those dates, I will exhibit at The Bottega, a shop located at the Waverly Community House in Waverly, PA, is dedicated to the music, poetry and visual art of N.E. PA artists. The opening reception for that exhibit is October 19, 6-8 p.m.

Just a brief note regarding the art of Chigirie. A centuries-old art form, chigirie literally means painting with paper to create a collage. This technique consists of tearing and pasting down pre-dyed handmade paper to create a composition which lends a three-dimensional appeal. In the case of larger pieces, there could be hundreds of hand torn small pieces of paper layered. It's tedious work but it's one area of my life where I have patience. There is no substitute for beautiful handmade Japanese paper that offers endless opportunities for the expression of fine details.

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Please visit Page Nine if you're in need of an architect or you'd like to learn more about Kunihiko Matsui's current projects. Contact Kunihiko Matsui Architects to discuss that building or renovation project you've been dreaming of. He also offers some wonderful ideas for Japanese style homes and out buildings.

Web site last updated on 07/18/2008 09:25 PM

Commissions are graciously accepted...

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Important Notice: This website or any of its contents may not be copied for any purpose without the express permission of the author and artist. © 2002 Joan M. Matsui