This shikishi-Chigiri-e (ちぎり絵) artwork features a gentle, stylized depiction of a sheep (羊)—the zodiac sign Hitsuji / 未 (the eighth animal of the Japanese zodiac).
Chigiri-e (ちぎり絵) is a traditional Japanese art form in which images are created by tearing pieces of paper and arranging them into a composition. The word “chigiri” means “to tear,” and this technique is central to the style—artists deliberately avoid cutting tools so that the edges remain soft, irregular, and organic. These torn edges give the finished work a gentle, almost painterly quality that feels very different from sharp-edged collage.
The paper used is washi, a handmade Japanese paper known for its strength, subtle textures, and slight translucency. Because washi can be layered, artists are able to build depth and shading by overlapping pieces, much like applying washes of color in painting. The fibers of the paper catch light in delicate ways, which adds a quiet richness to even simple compositions.
The composition is minimal yet expressive. A small, hand-torn collage of washi paper forms the sheep, set against a deep indigo-blue background that evokes a calm, wintry night. The sheep itself is rendered in soft white tones, with delicately layered paper edges that create a fluffy, textured appearance reminiscent of wool. Subtle pale-blue shading adds depth and contour to the body.
