paper marbling art & history

One of the oldest and most elegant methods of decorating paper is paper marbling. 

Originating in China, suminagashi has existed in Japan since the 12th century, the Turkish variegated marbling art of ebru arrived in Europe in the 16th century via Venice, the trade gateway to the Orient.

Sogara Yuzen

188 Galerie is a boutique that showcases decorative paper products from all over the world. 

Last autumn, we blogged about The Art of Washi, the traditional papers made from the long inner fibers of three plants native to Japan - kozo, mitsumata and gampi. 

This month's blog features Sogara Yuzen which means "single view" in Japanese and refers to the large, hand-screened sheets of paper that show vibrant elements of Japanese art and culture.

Yuzen is also called Chiyogami and refers to the repetitive patterns found in many kimono textiles and origami papers.