Photo/Illutration Takashi Fujita’s studio in the Shinichicho district of Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture (Masaaki Yashiro)

FUKUYAMA, Hiroshima Prefecture--At the age of 78, Takashi Fujita took the internet by storm with his artistic renditions using just tissue paper.

Fujita, a resident of the city’s Shinichicho district, started uploading videos of his works on social media sites at the recommendation of one of his grandchildren.

He faithfully reproduced magnificent Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Hyogo Prefecture, as well as a five-story pagoda, a bonsai cherry tree and numerous other subjects.

The 500 or so clips Fujita has posted online to date have earned upward of 100 million views.

Remarkably, Fujita is self-taught.

In February, the former karaoke cafe manager posted a stunning clip on his Instagram account that went viral.

It features a large green tissue-fashioned cabbage that is cut open. Peering out from inside is a miniature version of the World Heritage town of Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture that is renowned for its traditional thatched roofed farmhouses. Snowflakes and birds in flight are an added flourish.

The wow factor and sophisticated design left viewers pining for more. The footage was viewed more than 40 million times within three months.

FINDING FAME

Among the 1,000 or so works of paper art on display at Fujita’s studio-gallery remodeled from his old karaoke cafe is the 160-centimeter-tall reproduction of Himeji Castle, one of the finest examples of a feudal fortress in Japan.

Even the fortress’s stone walls use tissue. The piece took three months to finish.

“People are often astonished to discover I create such complicated designs with tissue,” said Fujita proudly. “But I should say I can form any shape for the very reason they are made of tissue paper.”

When Fujita was 70 and still running the karaoke cafe, an elderly customer told him he found it “difficult to go out and view the cherry blossoms” due to mobility problems.

Fujita decided then and there to buoy his customer’s spirits with a handmade cherry tree.

He tested cotton and various other materials. But none of them proved satisfactory until Fujita tried sheets of tissue paper.

Not having committed himself to artistic endeavors before, Fujita quickly became absorbed in his new hobby as he experimented exclusively with tissue, glue and water.

With his natural dexterity, Fujita found he was able to give shape to huge pieces of art.

A turning point came after the novel coronavirus began spreading in Japan.

Fujita decided to close his cafe for good since many of his regular customers were elderly and he didn’t want them to fall sick on his account.

The pandemic meant he was unable to show how to make tissue artworks for elementary school children nearby. Fujita found he had next-to-no opportunities to showcase his pieces.

Learning of his plight, one of his grandchildren advised him to display “your creations on Instagram.”

Fujita bought a smartphone three years ago and set up an Instagram account. His wife helped shoot videos to be uploaded.

He initially focused on explaining his method for making paper works, but very few people were interested.

Fujita then decided to take a more dynamic approach, and in spring last year posted a video of a bonsai decorated with airborne cherry blossom petals. It promptly garnered more than 50,000 views.

Other eye-catching clips included a water tank featuring fish swimming that instantly turns into a book.

Now messages in English and Spanish can be spotted in the comment section for his videos. Fujita said an Australian fan once came all the way to see him.

“The appeal of my creations can be figured out even though many people looking at them do not understand Japanese,” Fujita said. “Tissue craftsmanship represents a form of art for everyone, since anyone can start on it immediately.”

Fujita said he is ready to share tips on how to create paper statues on the internet.

“My dream is bringing smiles to the faces of children all over the world,” he added.

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