Chiyogami is an exquisite hand screen printed paper from Japan. The fine detail and lustre of these sheets is unrivalled. The papers were originally developed as woodblock prints to decorate accessories for the home. The designs were inspired by the bright textiles from the Edo period (1603-1868) which the papermakers from the countryside saw on the stylish ladies from Kyoto. Today many of the symbols depicted still hark back to auspicious occasions when fancy kimonos would be worn: cranes for long life; bamboo for flexibility; plum blossoms for beauty and longevity.

To create a sheet of Chiyogami, each colour is printed individually with most patterns having 4 or 5 colours. Each sheet must be dried between applications and the next colour registered with fine precision. The base sheet is a machine made mixture of Kozo and Sulphite. Despite it's light weight this paper is strong and forgiving with good wet strength making it perfect for bookbinding, origami, boxmaking, collage and card making, covering furniture and walls - the creative possibilities are endless.

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