Japanese Artist Finds Peace in Cutting Leaves

Japanese Artist Finds Peace in Cutting Leaves

A Japanese artist who creates detailed designs on fallen leaves says the process gives the leaves new life and also helps keep him healthy.

The artist goes by the name Lito. He did not want to share his full name for personal reasons. Lito likes to cut, or carve, many different leaf designs. Examples of his work include a frog holding an umbrella, animals jumping happily, Japan’s famous Mount Fuji and ocean waves.

This photo provided by Japanese artist Lito shows his work titled "Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji: The Great Wave off Kanagawa." (Lito via AP)

Lito began making his leaf art in 2020. Now, he has many fans around the world who discovered his designs on social media.

He recently told reporters from The Associated Press that his work also gives him peaceful feelings to help deal with a health issue. The condition Lito struggles with is called attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. People with ADHD can experience difficulties such as mental focus, directing attention and organizing and controlling urges.

Japanese leaf-cutting artist, who goes by the name Lito, holds his freshly cut work featuring a frog with an umbrella, in Tokyo Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

The 38-year-old Lito said that in addition to helping him deal with his own issues, he hopes his art can give other people enjoyment as well.

Lito likes working at night. In a demonstration of his process, he showed that he first treats several leaves with a chemical to keep them from drying out. Then, he chooses the one he wants to work on and places it on a cutting surface.

He begins by making a design on the leaf with a pen. He then uses a special design knife to cut the leaf. As he works slowly and carefully, one leaf begins to take the shape of a frog carrying an umbrella.

Japanese leaf-cutting artist, who goes by the name Lito, outlines on the leaf with a pen for his work in Tokyo Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Some of Lito’s more complex creations on a single leaf can take more than eight hours to complete. He said he likes to finish a leaf in one sitting. 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. He often uses animals as his subject and each piece includes some of hisown personal elements.

This undated photo provided by Japanese leaf-cutting artist Lito shows his work titled "Choju Giga/Scrolls of Frolicking Animals."

Since his childhood, Lito says he has had high levels of concentration and patience. But no matter how hard he tried, he felt he could not meet expectations of behavior at school and work. He also struggled to understand others' feelings and to avoid conflict.

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

Lito said he saw no reason to force himself to do things the same way as other people. So, he decided to change his way of living.

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

This undated photo provided by Japanese leaf-cutting artist Lito shows his work titled "Wait a second! That's my baby!"

Word of his skill has spread far across social media, and he has published books on his leaf-cutting work. And almost every month, he holds a showing of his art in different places in Japan.

"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 said.

I’m Jill Robbins.

Mayuko Ono, Shuji Kajiyama and Mari Yamaguchi reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

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Words in This Story

umbrella – n. a device used to protect oneself from rain or sunlight

focus – n. a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding

concentration – n. the ability to give your attention or thought to a single object or activity

patient – adj. bearing pain or difficulty calmly or without complaint

diagnosis – n. a medical finding of disease

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