Thu, Dec 05, 2024 page14

• A Japanese artist finds solace and global fans with intricate leaf-cutting

  The world of Lito’s delicate art, which he began in 2020 and posts on social media almost daily, has won fans from around the world

  • by Mayuko Ono, Shuiji Kajiyama and Mari Yamaguchi / AP, TOKYO
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  A frog holding a taro-leaf umbrella. A parade of frolicking animals. An Ukiyo-e style Mount Fuji. Giant waves. A Japanese artist who goes by the name Lito carves these delicate designs on fallen leaves, giving life back to them.

  The world of Lito’s delicate art, which he began in 2020 and posts on social media almost daily, has won fans from around the world. The leaf art has also given him solace after earlier struggles with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and a purpose in life — the joy of making people happy with his art.

  He enjoys working at night. From a pile of leaves treated with a wrinkle-free chemical, he picks one and places it on a cutting board.

  

  Japanese leaf-cutting artist, who goes by the name Lito, shows his work titled: Wait a second! That’s my baby!, in this undated photo.

  Photo: AP

  First, he outlines the design on the leaf with a pen in his right hand. Then he takes a design knife in his left hand and starts cutting the leaf carefully. Slowly, the leaf begins to take the shape of a frog carrying an umbrella — a simple design he recently demonstrated.

  More complex, highly intensive work on a single leaf can take more than eight hours to complete.

  His leaf-cutting works include titles such as Scrolls of Frolicking Animals, Leaf Aquarium, and Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji: The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Each piece includes his own twists, and often uses animals.

  

  Japanese leaf-cutting artist, who goes by the name Lito, shows his work titled: Choju Giga/Scrolls of Frolicking Animals.

  Photo: AP

  “I would rather finish it in one go when I am focused,” Lito, 38, said. He didn’t want to disclose his real name for personal reasons.

  Since his childhood, Lito says he has had high levels of concentration and patience. But he had trouble fitting into what was considered the norm at school or at work, despite all his efforts. He struggled to interpret others’ feelings and to avoid confrontations.

  After years of difficulty, he went to a hospital at age 30 and was told he has ADHD, a diagnosis that he felt explained why he has always done things differently.

  

  Japanese leaf-cutting artist, who goes by the name Lito, last month holds his freshly cut work featuring a frog with an umbrella.

  Photo: AP

  He saw no point in forcing himself to do things the same way as other people, and began to adjust his life.

  In early 2020, Lito came across the art of leaf cutting. He saw it as the perfect use of his patience and concentration.

  Word of his skills has spread across social media, and he has published books on his leaf-cutting work. He holds a near monthly solo exhibition in various places in Japan.

  

  Japanese leaf-cutting artist, who goes by the name Lito, last month outlines on the leaf with a pen for his work in Tokyo.

  Photo: AP

  “If I can make people happy by doing what I am doing, I want to do more. That’s my driving force for what’s next,” Lito says.
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