Supporting Autistic Children Through Japanese Art Therapy: Integrating Origami, Sumi‑e, and Kintsugi‑Inspired Practices

Abstract

Japanese art forms—particularly origami (paper folding) and sumi‑e (ink brush painting)—offer structured, sensory‑rich, and culturally rooted activities that align well with common strengths and support needs of autistic children. This narrative review synthesizes recent evidence on creative arts therapies for autism and examines the plausibility and practicality of Japanese art modalities as adjunct supports. We outline mechanisms of action (e.g., motor sequencing, joint attention, emotion regulation), propose session protocols adaptable across developmental profiles and sensory preferences, and offer an evaluation framework compatible with school and clinic settings. We also introduce kintsugi as a therapeutic metaphor for resilience and self‑acceptance. The paper concludes with implementation recommendations, ethical considerations, and research gaps, including the need for rigorous trials focusing specifically on Japanese art modalities with autistic youth.