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. 

The Art of Washi

Washi is the Japanese word for the traditional papers made from the long inner fibers of three plants native to Japan  - kozo, mitsumata and gampi. 

The kozo plant (Broussonetia papyrifera) or paper mulberry bark is thick and strong. Its long, tough fibers produce durable, textured, stable papers that are the most commonly used in the making of Japanese paper or washi.

A craftsman makes washi paper at his workshop. (Hikaru Uchida)