Kokigami: The Intimate Art of the Little Paper Costume

By Burton Silver and Heather Busch

Book Overview

Almost everyone is familiar with origami, the art of paper folding, but kokigami is a cock (er, bird) of an entirely different feather. The first definitive instructional guide to this ancient Japanese art, KOKIGAMI brings to life--quite literally--this most mysterious practice from the Orient. Written specifically for Westerners, KOKIGAMI contains 14 beautiful little paper costumes that are a delight to make and a rare pleasure to use. The authors' writings on the history and lore of the art will intrigue anyone interested in Japanese paper arts, and the costumes themselves will fascinate and inspire those eager to add new and exciting dimensions to their intimate relationships. From the Hardcover edition.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898153972
• ISBN13: 9780898153972
• Release Date: November 1989
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.4" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Too funny.....

This is a laugh-out-loud satire of eastern mysticism sex guides that take their subject way too seriously. Repeat: satire. There is no ancient Japanese erotic art of penis puppetry although the authors cleverly include an academic-sounding history and so forth, a la "Why Cats Paint" and other books by these tongue-in-cheek art critic / historians. (Must get ahold of their "Kama Sutra for Cats" some time). Anyway, this book is a scream, really. And there are little models complete with haiku dialogue you can try at home! Brilliant. Especially recommended as a gag gift to those of Asian descent sick and tired of having people around them ask about their "ancient Chinese secrets" and so forth.

Ummm ... can we say certain words here?

Costumes. For your phallic appendage. These are puppets specifically designed for the male's eleventh digit. The colors in this book are quite vibrant. I think the authors are serious (though the pictures on their web site show them grinning quite deviously). A search of the web for the term "kokigami" indeed turns up over 700 hits (many duplicates). The whole idea of kokigami is just weird. It underscores that cultures can have radical differences.I once read a book: Kokigami,full of puppets to dress a salami,of interest, sure,if you have thoughts impure,to lasciviously cavort on tatami.

Paper craft at its most erotic

Almost everyone is familiar with origami, the art of paper folding, but kokigami is a [bird]... of an entirely different feather. The first definitive instructional guide to this ancient Japanese art, KOKIGAMI brings to life-quite literally-this most mysterious practice from the Orient. Written specifically for Westerners, KOKIGAMI contains 14 beautiful little paper costumes that are a delight to make and a rare pleasure to use. The authors' writings on the history and lore of the art will intrigue anyone interested in Japanese paper arts, and the costumes themselves will fascinate and inspire those eager to add new and exciting dimensions to their intimate relationships. 64 pages - Full-color illustrations.

Fun and Informative

This book provides and excellent introduction to the history and practice of Kokigami. The cut out costumes provided are beautifully crafted. An outstanding gift for the sexually adventurous, playfull, or curious.