Specialty Paper Japan - Silk Mulberrys (Unryu), Kanji & Tarasen Tissues and Chiyogami Paper

Washi is traditional Japanese paper made using fibres from the inner bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub or the paper mulberry bush (known as kozo or mulberry).

Unryu paper is a light mulberry paper containing strands of fiber which add texture and contrast. We call these papers silk mulberrys and since this paper, particularly in the lighter shades, has a translucent quality the unryu papers are wonderful for layering in art works (look up chigiri-e if you want to learn more).

Tarasen papers are translucent with lovely white designs. These patterned papers are useful as overlays in collage or card-making and wonderful in lanterns.

Chiyogami paper is made with a traditional base using kozo (mulberry), gampi and mitsumata fibers. The individual layers of color are silkscreened on one by one and the pigments used are fade resistant. This paper has so many decorative uses and is so strong that you can sew on it and use it in textile art. Chiyogami applications are limited only by your imagination.