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

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.