Chigiri-e Relaxation

Chigiri-e (“chee-gee-ree-eh”) is a special art form from Japan, traditionally created with colorful Washi or rice papers. The name literally translates to "torn picture." Rather than cutting the paper neatly with scissors, artists carefully hand-tear the paper to make the edges soft and fuzzy. These pieces are then layered and overlapped — like building a puzzle — to add beautiful dimensions and texture to final outcomes.

Depending on age group and their motor skills, we offer different lengths of workshop to create a one-of-a-kind "torn-paper picture". Here are some examples of independent or shared activity.

Kids (3 - 5): 30 minutes of playful exploration.
Youth (6 - 12): 60 or 90 minutes of creative building.
Teens & Adults: 60, 90, or 120 minutes of immersive crafting.
Seniors: A gentle 60-minute creative session.

*All materials and tools we use in this workshop are included

Benefits of Chigiri-e

Chigiri-e offers many benefits, allowing artists to:

• De-stress & find calm

Feeling and examining each paper, carefully tearing and placing torn pieces can be a meditative experience. Engaging all your senses and focusing on your piece one step at a time may help you relax.

•  Adapt & forgive

Deciding on the types and colors of paper, then tearing and applying them by hand, does not always go exactly as planned — but that's part of the fun! Learning how to be flexible and adapting as you go is rewarding, especially when you see your final creation.

• Be part of the community

Chigiri-e can be a team-building activity or simply shared at the same table, creating a sense of community and allowing artists to share the joy of completing a larger piece together.

Explore more of our workshops here!