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, 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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