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History Of Use

Papermaking originated on the Asian mainland and spread to Japan by 1500 years ago. For centuries Japan has produced the greatest quantity and variety of handmade paper or washi in the world. Traditionally, papermaking was a family or community enterprise which thrived in mountain farming communities where cold, pure water and wild bast fibre shrubs, such as mulberry, are plentiful. Washi is an important cultural symbol and holds a place in nearly every aspect of Japanese life. It is also a significant aspect of both Shinto and Buddhist rites and customs.

Narrative

This is part of the Tesukiwashi Taikan, a collection of handmade paper published, in an edition of 1000 copies, in Tokyo as a project to commemorate the centennial of Mainchi Newspapers and to preserve Japanese handmade paper. A collection on this scale had not been made before. This collection consists of 5 boxes of mounted and labelled samples with an explanatory book in 4 of the boxes. The text is in Japanese and with less detail, in English. Compiled and edited by a special editorial staff of scholars. Published by the Mainchi Newspapers of Tokyo, Japan.

Cultural Context

samples

Description

Cardboard folder (a) encloses five (b-g) thin cardboards, numbered, 'Papers of the World' supplementary sheets, each has six labelled square samples in two horizontal rows of 3. Samples on No. 1 (b) are from China, all are white or near white except centre bottom (1-5) which is light white-brown. All have closely spaced horizontal and some have wider vertical watermark pattern. 1-1, 1-2 and 1-5 are wrinkled. Sheet is creased at bottom and left and along top left to centre. Samples on No. 2 (c) are all from China, 2-1 is near white, lined watermark, diagonally creased; 2-2 to 2-4 are light white/brown, darker fibres and lined watermark; 2-5 is pink with swirls of various densities and colour; 2-6 is white, lined watermark and darker fibres. Slight crease at bottom left of sheet. Samples on No. 3 (d) are from Korea, 3-1 is white and fibrous, 3-2 is thin, light white/brown; 3-3 is near white, 3-4 is light white/brown with numerous darker flecks and flakes; 3-5 is blue on top surface with green hair-like fibres; 3-6 is light white/brown with fibres. Samples on No. 4 (e) are from South and Southeast Asia, 4-1 is light white/brown with darker fibres and a plain-weave-like watermark; 4-2 is light white/brown with dark flecks, thin; 4-3 is slightly darker; is stiff, brown with dark flecks and watermark lines; 4-5 is white with some dark specks; 4-6 is stiff white/brown with horizontal lines and darker flecks. Samples on No. 5 (f) are from India and Europe; 5-1 is stiff, near white with horizontal ribbed lines; 5-2 is brown with darker flecks and lined watermark; 5-3 is light white/brown with numerous darker flecks; 5-4 is dark grey with horizontal lined watermark; 5-5 is near white with imbedded leaves and plant material; 5-6 is stiff light yellow/white with pebble surface. Samples on No. 6 (g) are from Italy and England, 6-1 is light grey, slightly ribbed horizontally with ragged right edge; 6-2 is light is light white/yellow; 6-3 is near white, pebbled; 6-4 is white card.