Glossary of Paper Terms

CHIYOGAMI: See YUZEN.

ECHIZEN: The famous papermaking area in western Japan. Our Echizen Washi have subtle patterns created by using a large metal watermark screen.

GASENSHI: A long square paper for drawing and calligraphy. (See our KISOHEN, one of the representative gasenshi in Japan).

GOYU

HANJI: Korean (han) paper (ji). These papers are handmade from 100% mulberry fiber or "cham dak" in the Korean language. They are translucent and strong—excellent for printmaking, painting, bookbinding, joomchi, sliding window panels, and lanterns.

HINGING PAPER

HOSHO PRO (discontinued)

ITAJIME: Folded and dyed, dipped into organic pigments.

IYO GLAZED

JOOMCHI: Korean paper felting

KAJI

KATAZOME: Okinawan pattern-based "Bingata" folk designs and designs reminiscent of exotic Southeast Asian batiks. Instead of a silk-screening process, the papers are resist-dyed. A stencil form (kata) is used when applying a paste-like gelatin substance to the surface of the paper. Once the sheet dries, some of the gelatin remains. Pigment is applied to the paper and is absorbed wherever there is gelatin—the gelatin serves the same function as wax in batik dyeing.

KINWASHI (also GINWASHI): These papers are made from hemp fiber grown in Manila, Philippines. They are used in shoji screens, lamps, shades, walls, stationery, bookbinding, framing, etc.

KITAKATA

KIZUKISHI

KYOSEI: Fabric-like, used for sculpting and sewing.

LAMA LI (LOKTA): Lokta paper is a non-wood fiber that maintains excellent archival properties and great tensile strength. It can have a very rough surface, or can be extraordinarily smooth and can take ink without bleeding. The fibers are collected from a variety of shrubs that grow at high altitudes. Most of the papermakers are farmers living in mountainous areas near clear water streams, which is essential for making good quality paper. We have lokta from both Nepal and India, where it is handmade and hand-dyed. Your purchase of our lokta from Nepal helps to sustain the livelihoods of women supporting themselves and their families by practicing the papermaking art in the hills of Nepal. Due to the handmade nature of this paper, there will be slight variations in color and thickness, making each piece unique.

MASA

MOKUHANGA (Woodblock paper)

MOMI: Hand-crinkled. Our momi kozo is hand-painted with organic dyes.

MORIKI: Also known as COLOR KOZO. Handmade and hand-dyed, used for printmaking and bookbinding.

MULBERRY

OKAWARA

SIZING: See Sizing 101 blog post.

SUMI

TENGUJOU: Surprisingly strong regardless of being so thin. This is the thinnest handmade paper in the world. In 1976, the Japanese government designated the papermaker and the paper both as National Treasures.

UNRYU: Dragon-cloud in Japanese language. Mulberry (kozo) fibers visible throughout the sheet. Ideal for paper arts, including lampshades and stationery.

WASHI: Handmade Japanese paper.

XUAN: Pronounced "shwen". The xuan paper we carry is made with bast fibers such as blue sandalwood, mulberry, hemp, and dragon whisker grass from the Anhui Province, hours west of Shanghai.

YUZEN: Also known as Chiyogami in US markets. Refers to a type of dying technique used in the kimono making industry in Japan to decorate fabric from traditional, Japanese silk garments. Papers are hand-silkscreened with patterns taken from these exquisite textile designs.