These wonderfully decorative patterns on paper, known as Chiyogami, are silk-screened onto machine made sheets of mixed kozo and sulphite. They are more popularly known as Yuzen in the United States.
Originally, Chiyogami designs were developed in the Edo period as woodblock prints by papermakers during the farming season for use as accessories in the house to enliven the interiors. They were based on the bright kimono textiles which the papermakers from the countryside saw on the fashionable wealthier ladies in the larger cities, especially in Kyoto, where the area known as Yuzen had become famous for its sophisticated techniques for dyeing cloth.
Chiyogami was meant to be cut into pieces and made into paper dolls or pasted on tea tins or small paper boxes; still today the scale of the patterns is reminiscent of these early uses. And still many of the symbols depicted harkens back to auspicious occasions when fancy kimonos would be worn: cranes for long life; bamboo for flexibility; plum blossoms and pine boughs for beauty and longevity.
The striking pigment colours, careful registration of screens and wide range of designs make these papers ideal for picture mats, books and box making.
All sheets are supplied as a 'half sheet' size at 640x480mm, however, as a special order they are available in full size sheets too at 640x960mm, especially useful if you are planning to use them for large projects such as wall coverings or mass production of products.
As the UK distributor for these papers we also offer wholesale prices for bulk purchases, details of which are available via direct contact with Falkiners.
