NEW YORK — Armed only with an art knife, Shu Kubo over the last few months has single-handedly built up a fan base after battling blizzards and floods to introduce thousands of Americans to the intricate art of paper-cutting.

The Japanese government appointed the 58-year-old in 2009 as special adviser for culture to reach out to citizens on the East Coast. He hoped to pique their interest in things Japanese.

"I am passionate about delivering my message about 'kirie' to as many people as possible," the contemporary artist, whose work has appeared on postage stamps and on New Year's greeting cards in Japan, said recently.