Dear Diary, 

I know everyone has at the very least heard of origami and most of us have probably attempted to make a frog or a crane in elementary school art class, but when I came to Japan I wanted to learn about all these other artforms that use paper. I started my day with a cup of green tea and a quick scroll through Pinterest (because, let's be real, where else does one find inspiration these days?). And there it was, a pin that led me down the rabbit hole of Washi wonders. Origami animals, kirigami pop-up cards, chigiri-e collages - I knew I had to find a way to learn how to do it. 

I found a workshop in Tokyo on Washi Paper Crafts, and let me tell you, it was like stepping into a wonderland of creativity. Picture this: a room filled with vibrant rolls of Washi tape, delicate sheets of paper just waiting to be transformed, and a group of enthusiastic crafters ready to unleash their inner artists. Origami? Check. Kirigami? Double check. Chigiri-e? Don’t joke. We delved into all of it, folding, cutting, tearing, and layering our way to masterpieces that would make even the most seasoned artisans nod in approval.

I soon enough dipped my toes into the world of kirigami, because apparently, regular old origami wasn't challenging enough for me. Armed with my trusty pair of scissors and a stack of Washi paper, I embarked on a journey of cutting and folding that would make Edward Scissorhands proud. Seeing those paper flowers bloom and butterflies take flight was nothing short of magical.

But the pièce de résistance? Chigiri-e. Now, this is where things got seriously crafty. Armed with torn pieces of Washi paper and a glue stick I set out to create a masterpiece. And let me tell you, there's something incredibly satisfying about piecing together a collage of vibrant colors and textures to create a stunning work of art.

So there you have it, diary. A day filled with creativity, color, and a whole lot of Washi paper magic. Who knew a humble sheet of paper could bring so much joy? 

But then again, when has anything involving crafts ever let me down? 

Xoxo, 

Maria