Americans, in their emphasis on extroversion and verbal communication, may not recognize or acknowledge the emotional expressiveness or individual will (in the form of effort) of many Japanese, however, the feeling and message is there but expressed through the hands, quiet gestures and the making of things.
Words and feelings can be found in paper and in Japan, 1000 paper cranes are carefully folded and strung together and offered to individuals experiencing sickness.
These were folded and sent by my grandmother.
In Japanese society, paper also plays tangible historic, commercial and aesthetic roles. In these roles, hospitality, nature, and seasonal motifs are common themes. Sales of products come with distinctive paper wrapping and bags. Even foods meant to be consumed right away are carefully enclosed in paper. The downside is the ecological impact of the packaging. However, paper in its quality form can also be a source of appreciation and preservation. Notably, Japanese banknotes are made of washi (source: NHK World).
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This little book (generally, books of Japanese publishing origin are of a much smaller size in comparison to books published elsewhere), first published in 1957 with a second edition issued in 1984, is part illustration guide and part field guide and reflects a certain retro feel that I find interesting. It is a form of paper so I thought to include it here:
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(I asked for a recording of a bamboo fountain and was given this crazy little card instead. It “does” include an audio recording of the bamboo fountain.)
Paper is a fixation of mine and I keep a collection (once large but now small) of papers. Some came along with the purchase of foods and other goods. Others are standalone (i.e., stationary) products. You can find the collection here:
Ozu Washi (since 1653 in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district)
Washi paper from Ozu Washi
yuzawaya (craft and hobby store near Shinjuku Station’s southern exit)
Itoya (stationary store founded in 1904)
Itoya has many branch locations and its goods can also be found in department stores but Itoya Ginza is its main store. Itoya Ginza is a stationary dreamland with an unimaginable range of notebooks, letter sets, pens, pencils and all things for writing.
TOKYO BANANA
Taneya
Kanmi Wajin Wakaba (Tokyo confectioner)
Maybe this sounds extreme but a lot of the packaging can really, using someone’s words, “move you to tears.” They are difficult to tear open, much less dispose of. There’s a concern of overpackaging and environmental impact, however this is mitigated through a mandate on recycling of all trash.
Other uses
Summers are a time for festivals in Japan and Tanabata (Star Festival on July 7) is among the most colorful. Messages and wishes are written on bright tanzaku and strung on bamboo branches.
Wagasa (paper umbrella)
Wagasas are still in popular use, having protected Japanese from sunlight, winds, and on a more symbolic and religious level, from evil spirits. They are brilliantly colored and pop out in their city and natural settings. Many are bright red as this color symbolizes prosperity and life itself. Wagasas are even an important fixture in folklore (as told in art and not orally) and film. Kasa-obake (umbrella ghost) goes as far back as an emaki (picture scroll) from the Muromachi period (roughly late 16th century) where it is first shown as a simple two-legged, one-eyed paper umbrella. Modern adaptations of kasa-obake show an umbrellla with the same one eye but with one less leg (see kasa-obake in the popular anime Gegege Kitaro). Wagasa, originally for use in sunlight developed into many durable, waterproof forms. In the cult classic Lady Snowblood, the protagonist wields a wagasa that commands the fight scenes (see below).
Wagasa in traditional wedding setting
Kami fusen (paper balloons)
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Chirimen
Chirimen is a silk fabric with a distinctive crepey texture. This texture brings attention to the bright colors found on chirimen. It’s omnipresent and its decorative uses are found in kimonos, cloth wrappings, gift/storage boxes, wallets, mobiles, and more.
