- 07/27/2010
- 02/28/2021
Japanese Paper Art
One remarkable characteristic of the traditional Japanese living is that paper is used for various purposes. For example, to keep out sunlight from the house, Japanese housings use Shoji(???絖?), which is made of wooden frame and paper, instead of using curtains made of cloth.? Shoji is also used as room dividers and doors. Shoji is made of Japanese paper, Washi (???膣?). Compared to western paper, the fiber used to make Washi is much longer.? This makes Washi tough, and makes its life span long. Washi was also used as Fusuma (茱?, sliding door which divide rooms), Byobu (絮馺?, folding screen), etc. Fusuma. Byobu. Wonder why Washi was used so heavily? For the Japanese climate is hot and humid, it was important to build houses in which people can enjoy comfortable lives since ancient times. Washi was used for housing because it modulates humidity, and the material was plentiful. Washi is not only used for housing. Surprisingly, it was even used to make umbrellas!? The surface is coated with Kakishibu (??炊??, fermented juice of date plum) and oil, which repels water. Today, Washi is not only used in the traditional way, but also used as modern art.? Various goods such as […]