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People in Japan Are Turning Vibrant Foliage Into Stunning “Fallen Leaf Art”

fallen leaf art

Photo credit: @setsugetsufu_ka

The colors of fall foliage are often so vibrant that they’re the perfect palette for creating works of art. In Japan, many people are using the leaves for just this purpose. They gather the abundance of bold reds, yellows, and oranges, separate them by hue, and then arrange them into compositions that live among nature. Known as ochiba art or fallen leaf art, this trend reimagines the environment in a whimsical way. Although they're visually delightful, the pieces' existence is fleeting. As soon as the wind blows, an artist's handiwork is gone with the breeze.

The leaves comprise a wide array of designs. Some artists have minimalism in mind and form simple shapes, while other arrangements are much more involved. Popular characters like Hello Kitty, Winnie the Pooh, and Pikachu make an appearance in the foliage for delightful effect. Here, artists will often incorporate small pine cones to separate the colors or draw lines. No matter the approach, these pieces inspire us to get outside and make our own fallen leaf art—even if it's just for a little while.

fallen leaf art

Photo credit: @toshikanayama

Photo credit: @hamacream

Photo credit: @hamacream

fallen leaf art

Photo credit: @ryokko128

fallen leaf art

Photo credit: @ryokko128

fallen leaf art

Photo credit: @egaonanairo

fallen leaf art

Photo credit: @egaonanairo

h/t: [Rocket News 24]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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