Kaishi paper

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Tea ceremony paper (kaishi )

***** Location: Japan
***** Season: Topic
***** Category: Humanity

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Explanation

Kaishi 懐紙 folded paper, "pocket paper"

Japanese washi paper, folded and tucked inside the front of one's kimono, especially for use at the tea ceremony. It comes in a pad folded in half. It was kept in the overlap of the kimono.
When not in use, it is kept in a small brocade pouch,
kaishi ire　懐紙入れ.


. . . CLICK here for KAISHI Photos !


. . . CLICK here for KAISHI IRE pouches Photos !


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Literally, "pocket paper".
A general term for paper used in the tea ceremony which is tucked in the front of the kimono. Used to clean the fingers after wiping the tea bowl, or used as a plate for cakes or sweets served during the ceremony.
Kurasuyama kaishi is famous and is used by the Imperial household.

Washi: Japanese handmade paper
source : 　www.origami.as

Kurasuyama washi 烏山和紙
(Karasuyama)

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Kaishi from Mino Paper

Kaishi (Japanese paper) is used as a mat to put sweets on, or to wipe the edge of the bowl one has sipped from. People fold and tuck it inside the front or in the sleeve of their kimono at tea ceremonies. However, tea ceremonies are not only occasion to use kaishi. You can use it to decorate tables or plates, or as note paper.

Nowadays, common kaishi is mass manufactured by machines, but this kaishi is traditional handmade Japanese paper. It is a technical challenge to make it so thin. You can almost see though it. It has a natural pulp fiber pattern similar to Japanese classic paper. It is reminiscent of shoji-paper on paper panel doors in a traditional Japanese house. Using premium handmade kaishi is a sign of sophistication, and perfect for tea ceremonies.



Mino paper
The origins of Mino paper are believed to lie in the Nara period (710-794). It is produced by the nagashisuki or tossing method, much like the majority of Japan's handmade paper. This method weaves the fibers extremely tight, resulting in thin but durable paper not unlike cloth. Mino paper is often used in arts such as painting and calligraphy, as well as making gold leaves. It is also good for sliding paper screens often found in Japanese homes. There are 14 Master Craftsmen across 28 firms recognized for their skill and talent for producing Mino paper.
source : 　www.everyonestea.com


. Tomobata Flag Festival .
Flags made from Mino paper

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Washi, Japanese Paper 和紙


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Worldwide use


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Things found on the way

Famous WASHI-producing areas in Japan

東山和紙 　伊勢和紙 　
　淡路津名紙 　内山紙 　
　出雲民芸紙 　越中和紙 　
　越前和紙 　大洲和紙 　
　近江和紙 　小国和紙 　
　小川和紙 　桐生和紙 　
　烏山和紙 　山中和紙 　 　
　笹紙 　ちくさ雁皮紙 　
　駿河柚野紙 　保田和紙　
水俣和紙 柳生和紙
　名塩紙 　　
伊勢和紙 黒谷和紙

横野和紙 Okayama, Yokono


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HAIKU


. WKD
hatsu kaishi 初懐紙（はつかいし）"first kaishi paper"
first writing of a haiku (or other poems) on the thin Japanese folded kaishi paper.




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Related words

***** Tea Ceremony SAIJIKI


***** WASHOKU ... Tableware and Tools

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