Wednesday, May 27, 2009

和紙



I think you all know that I am a paper-lover, I have quite a collection of all kinds of papers (vintage wallpapers, handmade papers, Japanese papers... I even brought a huge pile of Chinese newspapers from my hotel in New York and if I am not looking for vintage trims on the Flee market, I am lookin gfor cute cards or papers...)
Since some time I use Washi or Wagami (Japanese paper) in my designs.
I try to find an interesting detail in the paper : (a twig , a blossom, leaves...) to use in my designs.
(you can find them here in my shop.)
want to know a bit more about Washi?

Washi or Wagami (和紙?, literally, "harmony paper" or "serenity paper") is a type of paper made in Japan.

Washi is commonly made using fibers from the bark of the gampi tree, but also can be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat.

Washi comes from wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper, and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner.

Washi is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp, and is used in many traditional arts. Origami, Shodo, and Ukiyo-e were all produced using washi. Washi was also used to make various everyday goods like clothes, household goods, and toys as well as vestments and ritual objects for Shinto priests and statues of Buddha.
It was even used to make wreaths that were given to winners in the 1998 Winter Paralympics.

Washi was developed from the traditional Chinese paper-making process.
find more about Washi on Wikipedia.
want to know a bit more about Japan?
go to Malene's blog, Malene just came home from a trip to Japan and has a lot to share!
(thanks Malene for featuring one of my designs in you blog!)

8 comments:

Malene said...

I looove paper too, Fleur. Great discription of washi paper. I bought a whole lot of it while in Japan. I love the colours, quality, gold decorations and motifs :-) Great to see that you use it in your designs, looks beautiful!
Thanks for linking to my blog :-)
I will shop some of the stuff I bought in Japan later. Besides paper, I also got some neat fabric.

ingermaaike said...

It is wonderful to see how you use it in your designs!

Stephanie Kilgast said...

hmm very interesting!
And I really like your designs with the paper!
And I'm just in awe with your photos. Never thought of selling prints?

Veerle said...

Zeer geslaagd,wat jij doet met schone papierkes!!!!

fel4u said...

I have a big collection of papers too since I was a kid !!
Greet I like the way you use them!!

Meltem said...

Very interesting information for me! I didn't know this kind of paper. Thank you for sharing. They looks gorgeous and your design too!

Unknown said...

I am a big fan of different and unique papers too. I sometimes go to wallpaper stores to get their old books! Lovely to learn about washi.
~Emily xx

karlita said...

he he,als echte papier en vooral boekjesfan, vond ik dit leuk om lezen en weten! Ik ga zeker ook een kijkje nemen op malena's blog want japan staat hoog op mijn verlanglijstje!!