A Yen For Paper

WASHI & WISHES

Following on from yesterdays post, where I mentioned Omikuji. I made this little book with a wish incorporated into the lovely washi cover.

The creamy oatmeal coloured washi I used is quite chunky, with a pronounced texture. According to Japanese cultural traditions, washi is credited with adding friendliness, fragility and charm to life. Paper is not just a utilitarian product in Japan, but something which is valued for its particular aesthetic qualities.

As well as having (the now well known) wabi sabi elements, this washi also has a kind of "shibui" or zen beauty - being simple, subtle, unaffected, rough and yet elegant at the same time, in an unobtrusive way. Therefore it is in harmony with nature and conveys tranquility.

As the previous images showed, omikuji are usually tied to the trunks, branches or twigs of trees, but in this case I have improvised by tying it to a small length of koyori, a type of string made with twisted japanese paper.  Looks a little like a paper butterfly on the inside.

For the curious, this little book's wish for you is that the angels may guide your hand as you write.

mt masking tape

Whilst travelling in Japan last week and browsing in as many stationery shops as I could find, I was so taken with this wonderful mt masking tape. Their website states that it is made from rice paper which has “just the right degree of transparency” and it can be written on too.

As you can see it comes in a huge range of  cute colours, patterns and widths and believe it or not, I don’t have them all, yet. Unfortunately, it only seems to be available in Japan at present - if you come across it anywhere in Europe I would love to know about it.

I also purchased the little paperback book which they have produced showing some inspiring uses for it, including wrapping, collage and interior decoration, sticking postcards on the wall, photos on the fridge, labeling things etc - needless to say, I can’t read Japanese, so I just have to be content with looking at the images.

Here is a little practice book I made today, which I decided to decorate with the masking tape - just for fun.  I am sure I am going to enjoy using this tape and will find endless practical and decorative uses for it. In fact I love it!

PAPER WORKS LIKE A CHARM

On my trip to Japan last week I visited quite a few shrines and temples around Kyoto and was enchanted by the use of paper and wood for recording wishes, prayers and fortunes.

Omikuji are fortune telling paper slips found at many shrines and temples. Randomly drawn, they contain predictions ranging from daikichi ("great good luck") to daikyo ("great bad luck"). By folding the piece of paper and knotting it around a tree's branch, good fortune will come true, or bad fortune can be averted.

I was delighted at the Heian Shrine to discover that what I thought from the distance to be pink blossom, was in fact paper fortunes tied to branches.

A shimenawa is a straw rope with white zigzag paper strips (gohei). It marks the boundary to something sacred and can be found on torii gates, around sacred trees and stones, etc.
Here are some I spotted on my travels.

Apparently an ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy beasts (others include the dragon and tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years.

I spotted these at the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

I think I'd better get folding .....

MAPS, CHARTS & OTHER DISCOVERIES

I was recently lucky enough to take part in a bookbinding workshop at the Lighthousekeeper's cottages on the little island of Bressay - one of the Shetland Isles. The weekend's topic was "Maps, Charts & other Discoveries" and my fellow binders arrived laden with all kinds of goodies to share, including navigational charts, alphabet stamps, cake, friendship and great ideas. Here is a small selection of our wonderful creations from the lighthouse.

With thanks to Hammie, Isabelle, Lauris, Hazel, Sue, Kelly, Janey, Ama, Rachel, & Emma.