Japanese Paper – Washi - is Serene Gardens’ latest addition to its unique product line. Our authentic Japanese paper is great for decorating, designing, gift cards, or origami.
Japanese paper was brought to Japan in 610 by Buddhist monks, mainly to copy and practice their sutras. By the 800s Japan had developed an extensive range of artistic paper rivaled by no other country. It didn’t reach Europe for another 600 years. Although down to well under 500 families in Japan who still make traditional Japanese paper- washi, during the 1800s over 100,000 families produced handmade paper. In these modern times it is difficult to compete on an international level due in part to many countries having a lower cost of living enabling them to mass produce paper more cheaply.
RAW MATERIALS
The inner barks of three plants, all native to Japan, are used primarily in the making washi.
Kozo (paper mulberry) is said to be the masculine element, the protector, thick and strong. It is the most widely used fibre, and the strongest. It is grown as a farm crop, and regenerates annually, so no forests are depleted in the process.
Mitsumata is the “feminine element”: graceful, delicate, soft and modest. Mitsumata takes longer to grow and is thus a more expensive paper. It is indigenous to Japan and is also grown as a crop.
Gampi was the earliest and is considered to be the noblest fibre, noted for its richness, dignity and longevity. It has an exquisite natural sheen, and is often made into very thin tissues used in book conservation and chine-collé printmaking. Gampi has a natural ‘sized’ finish which does not bleed when written or painted on.
Other fibres such as hemp, abaca, rayon, horsehair, and silver or gold foil are some-times used for paper or mixed in with the other fibres for decorative effect.
METHODS OF PRODUCTION
Branches of the (kozo, gampi or mitsumata) bush are trimmed, soaked, the bark removed, and the tough pliant inner bark laboriously separated, cleaned, then pounded and stretched.
The addition of the pounded fibre to a liquid solution, combined with tororo-aoi (fermented hibiscus root) as a mucilage, produces a paste-like substance when it is mixed.
It is this “paste” which is tossed until evenly spread on a bamboo mesh screen (called a su) to form each sheet of paper. The sheets are piled up wet, and later laid out to dry on wood in the sun or indoors on a heated dryer. (http://www.japanesepaperplace.com)
Japanese Paper Makes Great Gifts!
Our Japanese paper Note cards are a great way to send an authentic, warm letter to someone. Chiyogami-covered Pencils are a great way to see the many unique traditional designs for a great price. There are six color-coordinated HB pencils covered in hand-silkscreened Chiyogami. Bring beauty to your pencil use!
Visit our new Japanese paper (Washi) page to discover some of the many different things you can do with these beautiful and artistic paper products.
