Chiyogami

Chiyogami papers are screen printed by hand in Japan. The fine detail and lustre of these exquisite 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.