Tohoku Kiriko Paper Cut-Out Making

The art of Kiriko paper cut-outs

Try your hand at the Japanese craft of "Kiriko"—a form of paper cut-out decorations made mainly in the Sanriku region. The practice of creating this craft started in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1868) when locals started to cut the paper into shapes of rice cakes and sake for offerings to the gods during years of poor harvests due to natural disasters and famine. The art of Kiriko-making has remained through the region's damage caused by the tsunami and continues to bring the community together in prayers for the future.

When to go: All year

More Information

Sanriku Fukko (Reconstruction) National Park 

Links

Kiriko (Kaminoyama Hachimangu Shrine)