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A sheet in process at Mr. Iwano's workshop

IWANO HANDMADES

Mr. Heizaburo Iwano is known throughout Japan as one of the last papermakers to specialize in thick, large scale sheets for printing, calligraphy and conservation. Of the few papermakers who have supplied us with large format sheets in the past, some have now died while others are too old to continue making them.

Iwano Handmades are exceptional not only in their scale (see photo), but in their quality and consistency, - attributes that result from generations of papermaking skills that have been handed down within the Iwano family. Truly some of the finest papers available in the world today! All sheets are neutral pH and have 4 natural deckles.

photo © Victoria Paper Company

Description of the Sheets

AKAMASHI NATURAL # 19- made of a blend of kozo and hemp. Natural tonality in a scratchy, absorbent sheet.

ECHIZEN GASEN NISOH # 17- made of sulphite pulp and kozo. The papers are made by layering thin sheets together to create a thicker, more opaque sheet that is highly absorbent. For sumi-e painting and block printing. White.

ECHIZEN HANGA DOSA - made of sulphite pulp and kozo. Dosa sizing makes this sheet crisp and durable. Natural tone.

ECHIZEN KIZUKI HOSHO # 30 - this paper is known throughout Japan as the finest Hosho paper available. Most Hosho sheets are made of wood pulp, while this is made of 100% Japanese kozo. Off-white. Note: Echizen is the birthplace of Hosho paper where it was developed in the 1300's for use with imperial documents.

HANGA-SHI GAMPI # 34- made from a mixture of gampi and sulphite pulp. Heavyweight, opaque sheet with a smooth surface and slight luster. White.

HANGA-SHI KOZO (# 32 White or # 33 Natural) - made from a mixture of kozo and sulphite pulp Heavyweight and opaque sheet with a smooth surface. White and Natural.

HANGA-SHI MITSUMATA # 35 - made from 100% mitsumata. Luxurious and thick with a mottled sheet formation, but a satin smooth surface. The mitsumata fiber imparts a very faint sheen. Remarkably beautiful! White.

KUMO HAMADASHI # 24 - made from 100% kozo with a fine tooth and dosa sizing. Prized throughout Japan as one of the finest printmaking papers. Off-white.

SHIKOSHI COLORS - dyed sheets made of kozo and gampi. The papers have a subtle sheen and deep rich tonalities.

SHIROMASHI DOSA # 5 - made from 100% hemp with dosa sizing to add strength and durability. These sheets have a wonderful, scratchy surface. Natural tone.

IWANO HANDMADES PRICING

MINGEI-SHI - handmade from a blend of kozo and sulphite pulp. Dyed sheets with 4 deckles; neutral pH.

MORE COLORED KOZO PAPERS

Click on any link below

Kozo Moriki; Yatsuo; Thai Colored Mulberry

MOKUBO

COBWEB - machinemade of sulphite pulp, rayon and polypropylene. Translucent skin covering an irregular, internal structure of warp and weft threads.

Colors:

OTHER WOVENS

SHIKISHI refers to the very specific size of these sheets, which is small and not quite square. Traditionally used for calligraphy and the mounting of small paintings, these sheets would handle most other techniques as well.

SHISHIKI SUJIKAWA - handmade of Kozo and cedar bark; natural with flecks and swirls of cedar bark. 4 deckles.

SHISHIKI TORINOKO - handmade, heavyweight sheets of 100% kozo. These sheets have a lustrous, smooth surface in white or natural. 4 deckles; neutral pH.

thumbnails are of full size sheets

TOSA WASHI

Kochi Paper Museum Exhibit

Papermaking in Kochi dates back to over 1000 years. Tsurayuki Kino, the author of Tosa Nikki(Tosa Diary) who was sent to Tosa as an official in 930, promoted papermaking, helping to promote the cultural development of the province.

At the end of the 16th century, "Tosa Nanairogami," a set of seven sheets of paper in different colours, was created. With the support of the "daimyos" (feudal lords), during the Edo period, (1603-1867) papermaking became one of the main industries of Tosa. Genta Yoshii (1826-1908) invented "Tengujo-shi," the thinnest paper in the world, and "Mitsumata Kairyoban-shi". He also contributed to the improvement of tools for papermaking. Genta is credited with laying the foundation for the modern paper industry.

Some years ago, the Japanese government passed a law to promote, protect, and develop the traditional arts and crafts. Under this law, Tosa Washi was designated as a traditional Japanese craft in 1976, and "Tengujo-shi" and "Tosa Seicho-shi" were also designated as cultural assets.

Source: Kochi Prefecture

photo © Victoria Paper Company

MANILA-SHI OLIVE - machinemade from kozo and olive leaves. Natural background with olive green flecks. Neutral ph.

MOYOUSHI - machine made of sulphite pulp. Medium dark background with blotches of darker fibers. Paper is white on the back side; 2 deckles.

OTOSHI MEDIUM WEIGHT - handmade of kozo and sulphite by Mr. Masahige Tomokusa. Large, handmade white sheet. 4 deckles.

SEICHOSHI-HOMARE - handmade of 100% kozo by Mr. Shigeru Osaki. Mr. Osaki has been designated as a National Living Treasure and this paper is designated as a Cultural Asset by the Japanese Government. The paper is only made in the winter when the cold temperature assures the crispness and purity of the sheet. Made on a bamboo mould with a pronounced laid pattern, the papers are dried on ginko tree boards in the sunlight for several days. The grain of these old wood panels is ofen visible in these stunning sheets. Off-white; 4 deckles.

MORE LIGHTWEIGHT COLORED GAMPI

Bicchu Torinoko Gampi; Hiromi Gampi Dyed Machine Made; Shikibu Gampi-shi; Kathmandu Silk