Washi is the Japanese word
for the traditional papers made from the long inner fibres of three plants,
Kozo, Mitsumata, and Gampi,
wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning
paper. As Japan rushes with the rest of the world into
the 21st Century, and more modern technologies take over, machines produce
similar-looking papers which have qualities very different from authentic
washi. There are fewer than 350 families still engaged in the production of paper by hand in Japan
Kozo, Mitsumata, and Gampi,
wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning
paper. As Japan rushes with the rest of the world into
the 21st Century, and more modern technologies take over, machines produce
similar-looking papers which have qualities very different from authentic
washi. There are fewer than 350 families still engaged in the production of paper by hand in Japan
Chiyogami
These wonderfully decorative patterns on paper,
known as Chiyogami, are silkscreened onto machine made
sheets of mixed kozo and sulphite. They are more
popularly known as Yuzen in the United States. Both terms are used for these decorative papers
known as Chiyogami, are silkscreened onto machine made
sheets of mixed kozo and sulphite. They are more
popularly known as Yuzen in the United States. Both terms are used for these decorative papers
Uses of Washi
Bookbinding, Lighting (lampshades & Screens), Collage, Printing, Cardmaking, Accents and Envelope lining for Invitatioins, Matting, Box Making, Iris Folding, Origami, Decorative Packaging, Washi Eggs, Framing and Hanging as art.
