Kinds of Japanese paper

Hosho
Hosho Papers were originally produced for governmental authorities which wrote down oral commands of the Shogun - in his name, sign and sided with his official seal.

Currently Hosho papers are mainly used for woodcuts, prints and documents.


Gasenshi
Gasenshi paper was originally made in China. Gasenshi paper was used for calligraphy and ink drawings. During the Edo period (1603 - 1867), the Japanese hand papermakeres took over the techniques to produce this paper.

Gasenshi papers are mainly used for Syodo (Japanese calligraphy), Japanese painting and mass prints.


Torinoko
Torinoko literally means "child or egg of the bird." This name was related to the natural shade of this paper. Its similar to the pale yellow color of birds' eggs. Torinoko papers are used for stationery, greeting cards, art prints and a sliding wall papers.

Torinoko Kozu
means "Imperial documents laid paper".


Komagami
Komagami papers, decorated with a pretty design, originally used for packaging. Meanwhile, Komagami papers are used for greeting cards, envelopes and writting papers. Also large-sized papers, which are used as wall paper with special patterns are named of made from Komagami. In Europe, there is unfortunately no longer a market for Komagami papers.


Kyokushi
Literally "bureau paper" are thick papers made with Mitsumata fibers. Kyokushi-papers are soft, very flexible, very easy to print (because it gives very sharp printed images). Kyokushi also used for checks, cards, stock certificates and business cards.