All About Paper

There are various types of paper used for Japanese calligraphy and ink painting, such as Hanshi, Gasen-shi, and Ryoshi.

Here is a brief overview of each type.

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Hanshi (Japanese Calligraphy Paper)

The paper most people have used is probably hanshi. There are several theories about why it is called hanshi, but the most widely accepted one is that the size is half of the original Sugihara paper, hence the name.

Various materials are used to make hanshi, including pulp, straw, kozo (mulberry), mitsumata, gampi, and bamboo.
Depending on the combination of materials, the paper may have more or less ink bleed, and the surface can be smooth or rough.

 

Gasen-shi (Large Japanese Calligraphy and Painting Paper)

Gasen-shi is a general term for large sheets of paper used for calligraphy and painting. It can also be written as Gasen, Gasen-shi, Gasen, Gasen, Gasen, or Gasen in various forms, but at Naraya Honpo, we refer to it simply as Gasen-shi.

The name comes from Xuan paper (宣紙) originally produced in Xuancheng, Anhui Province, China. Papers made for painting and calligraphy were called Gasen-shi or Gasen paper. In Japan, domestically produced Gasen-shi is referred to as Wagasen.

Regarding materials, traditional Chinese Gasen-shi was mainly made from qingdan (blue sandalwood) and straw, but nowadays some papers are made using materials similar to Japanese papers.
Wagasen(和画仙), like hanshi, mainly uses kozo (mulberry), gampi, and mitsumata, with additional materials such as bamboo or straw, depending on the production area.

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Washi (Japanese Paper)

Washi is a general term for paper produced in Japan, with production areas spread across the country. Among these, Inshu Washi, Sekishu Washi, and Iyo Washi are especially well-known for calligraphy.

Traditionally, all washi was handmade, but with the advent of machine-made paper, we distinguish between handmade washi and machine-made washi.

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Torinoko Paper

Torinoko paper is made from gampi and mitsumata fibers.

• Paper made entirely from gampi is called Special Grade(特号).

• Paper made from a mixture of gampi and mitsumata is called Grade 1.(1号)

• Paper made entirely from mitsumata is called Grade 2.(2号)

• Paper made from mitsumata mixed with pulp is called Grade 3.(3号)

In addition, handmade Torinoko paper is referred to as Hon-Torinoko, while machine-made Torinoko paper is simply called Torinoko.

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Kozo Paper

Kozo paper is made from kozo (mulberry) fibers. It is characterized by a rough surface and minimal ink bleed.
Ink tends to appear lighter or less intense on this paper. Recently, with the use of overseas-sourced kozo, the amount of ink bleed may be slightly higher than traditional Japanese kozo paper.

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Gampi Paper

Gampi paper is made from gampi fibers. It is characterized by a smooth surface and minimal ink bleed.
Gampi is difficult to cultivate, making the raw material increasingly scarce.

　

Ryoshi (Decorative Japanese Paper)

Ryoshi refers to paper decorated with colors, gold or silver flecks, and cut foil, traditionally applied to washi or Torinoko paper. At Naraya Honpo, we use the term Ryoshi for decorated papers smaller than Zenkaishi(全懐紙).

Gold and silver flecks, as well as cut foil, are made from gold leaf, silver leaf, platinum, or other metals. They can range from precious metals like pure gold, silver, and platinum to more affordable options such as brass (western gold) and aluminum (western silver).

• A single sheet of metal leaf is approximately 15 cm square.(箔)

• Kirihaku (cut foil)(切箔): small pieces cut from the metal leaf.

• Sunago(砂子): metal leaf crumpled or broken into fine granules.

• Noge(野毛): metal leaf cut into thin, elongated strips.

 

Sizing Paper (Kakoshi)

In the context of calligraphy, Sizing paper refers to any paper that has undergone surface treatments, such as coloring, sizing (dosa), or creating a silk-like texture. The Ryoshi described above is also considered a type of Sizing paper.

Paper that has not been treated after being made is called Soshi(素紙)ways to create papers with different patterns, textures, and colors.

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　Note: On our product pages, to help prevent ordering mistakes, paper that has only been treated with ink-bleed prevention is listed as Kakoshi(Sizing Paper), while all other decorated or treated papers are listed as Ryoshi (Decorative Paper). Thank you for your understanding.

　

◆Dosa Treatment (Sizing with Alum and Glue Solution)

Dosa is a treatment in which a solution made of glue and alum is applied to the paper with a brush. This prevents ink from being absorbed too quickly and helps control ink bleed.

Applying multiple coats increases the ink-resistant effect, but excessive application may cause the paper to repel ink, so care must be taken not to overapply.
The finished paper has a crisp texture, similar to a starch-treated dress shirt.

　

◆Mixed-in Sizing (Dosa Incorporated During Papermaking)

In mixed-in sizing, ink-resistant materials such as dosa solution are mixed directly with the pulp during the papermaking process. Compared to traditional dosa treatment, this method produces softer paper.

Since the separate dosa application step is eliminated, production costs are lower, but the degree of ink resistance cannot be precisely controlled, which is a drawback.

　

◆Rolling Treatment (Surface Smoothing with Rollers)

In rolling treatment, the paper is passed through rollers to compress the surface fibers and create a smoother texture.
By flattening the fibers, ink is less likely to penetrate, resulting in minimal or no ink bleed.

　

◆Silk-Texture Treatment (Kinume or Nunome)

Silk-texture treatment is a type of rolling treatment in which silk fabric is pressed against the paper while it passes through rollers.
The weave pattern of the silk is transferred onto the paper, creating an embossed-like texture and producing a unique brushstroke effect.

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◆Gubiki Treatment (Ink-Resistant Sizing with Pigments)

Gubiki treatment involves sizing the paper with a dosa solution mixed with pigments such as gofun. This compresses the paper fibers and prevents ink from bleeding, similar to the way putty is applied to wood to hide the grain.

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◆Pattern-Imprinting (Katauchi) Treatment

Katauchi treatment involves applying mica or other powders to a woodblock engraved with patterns, such as arabesques, and transferring the design onto the paper like a print.
The pattern can be applied to the entire sheet or only to specific areas.