Amazingly Delicate Paper Cuttings By Akira Nagaya

In the masterful hands of self-taught Japanese artist Akira Nagaya, paper is transformed into stunning works of art called kirie, or cut paper in Japanese. Nagaya’s story began when he started working at a sushi shop in his early 20s, and had to learn sasabaran – a cutting technique used to create intricate food decorations out of bamboo leaves. By practicing the technique on his own with paper and a utility knife, the artist discovered his talent and passion for creating elaborate paper cuttings.