Laser-Cut Pop-Up Cards Beautifully Depict Landmarks of Tokyo

Tokyo is known for many things, including its fashion, food, and cultural landmarks. The latter inspired Czech-based designer Tereza Hradilkova to portray the city using a traditional Japanese medium – paper. She worked with Tokyo-based creative producer Kumi Kobayashi on a series of pop-up cards that depict different landmarks, both well-known locales and others that are less so. The famous Tokyo Dome, Senso-ji Temple, and Skytree Tower stand alongside the district of Yanaka and the Prada building in Omotesando; their collaboration showcases the diversity of atmospheres in the city.

Each card has a 3D element that reveals itself once you open it up. Buildings, statues, and even Mt. Fuji are represented with intricate, laser-cut details. In addition, there are stamped images like crowds of people or patterns that provide a pop of color and the context of each location. Everything is hand assembled. This, coupled with their elaborate designs, creates special objects that you'll want to keep for a long time. They aren't just cards, but works of art.

Together, Hradilkova and Kobayashi are known as PORIGAMI. It's the name of their online shop where you can buy these and other paper goods.

Above: Kengo Kuma Designed Tourist Information Center

Thunder Gate
Hachiko Dog Statue
Mt. Fuji
Prada Building in Omotesando
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Tower
Toroina Japanese Garden
Yanaka Area of Tokyo (Known as “Old Tokyo)

Tokyo collection on PORIGAMI website
via [Spoon and Tamago]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
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