Artisan paper used in my Shoji Lamps
Chiyogami, also called Yuzon, refers to Japanese hand-screened decorative kozo washi paper consisting of repetitive patterns. In Japan “Chiyo” means 1,000 Generations & “-Gami” means paper. Originally the design was applied to handmade kozo paper with wood blocks, but today most chiyogami is produced with silkscreen techniques.
Originally, Chiyogami designs were developed in the Edo period as woodblock prints by papermakers during the farming season for use as accessories in the house to enliven the interiors. They were based on the bright kimono textiles which the papermakers from the countryside saw on the fashionable wealthier ladies in the larger cities, especially in Kyoto, where the area known as Yuzen had become famous for its sophisticated techniques for dyeing cloth. Each color is then silkscreened by hand, one at a time onto the paper. This step requires considerable time as each color must fully dry before the next color is applied. The final layer may be a gold or silver metallic overlay providing shiny highlights that catch light and attention.
Chiyogami, also called Yuzon, refers to Japanese hand-screened decorative kozo washi paper consisting of repetitive patterns. In Japan “Chiyo” means 1,000 Generations & “-Gami” means paper. Originally the design was applied to handmade kozo paper with wood blocks, but today most chiyogami is produced with silkscreen techniques.
Originally, Chiyogami designs were developed in the Edo period as woodblock prints by papermakers during the farming season for use as accessories in the house to enliven the interiors. They were based on the bright kimono textiles which the papermakers from the countryside saw on the fashionable wealthier ladies in the larger cities, especially in Kyoto, where the area known as Yuzen had become famous for its sophisticated techniques for dyeing cloth. Each color is then silkscreened by hand, one at a time onto the paper. This step requires considerable time as each color must fully dry before the next color is applied. The final layer may be a gold or silver metallic overlay providing shiny highlights that catch light and attention.
Handmade Lokta paper is from Nepal. The word lokta refers to one of the local species of Daphne Cannabina or Daphne Papyracea - a small woody plant of Laurel family. Nepalese Lokta Paper is and eco-friendly paper handmade from the fiber of the "Nepal Paper Plant." The cultivation of this "tree free" paper is an eco-friendly resource and a reliable revenue stream for the village artisans of Nepal's rural and urban areas.
Kozo paper is made from renewable branches of the kozo (paper mulberry) bush, specifically the innermost of three layers of bark which must be isolated to be cooked and beaten before the sheets are formed. Kozo fiber makes strong, translucent and absorbent papers. The long fibers of mulberry paper give it a soft feel, yet maintains a durability not found in traditional papers. Kozo is grown as a crop and harvested annually.
Banana and Mango papers are environmentally-conscious papers. Banana trees and Mango bushes produce fruit only once a year and are then cut down, leaving abundant waste or by-product. Recycling the fiber from this by-product, into paper, helps to prevent the ecosystem’s rivers and forests from becoming polluted with waste.
Unique woods used in my Shoji Lamps
In hardwoods, color occurs naturally across a wide range. There are purples, yellows, oranges, almond tones, browns, cinnamons, blacks, and shades of red.
Birdseye Maple (acer saccharum) is a rare and mysterious characteristic found in hard maple. There have been theories as to how Birdseye maple forms, but no scientific evidence has been presented to verify the true roots of its existence. The one-of-a-kind figure is sought after in all cultures by a multitude of woodworkers, craftsmen, and artists. Birdseye maple is excellent for custom pool cues, musical instruments, furniture, and small items such as jewelry boxes due to its unique and amazing figure.
Padauk (pterocarpus soyauxii) is an exotic wood that is a bright orange or almost crimson wood when freshly cut, but oxidizes to a darker, rich purple-brown over time. Slightly harder and heavier than Indian Rosewood it is a good wood in all respects - stable, and easy to work with.
Zebrawood (microberlinia brazzavillensis) is a hard wood, with a medium to coarse texture. The zebra-like appearance is due to the light colored sapwood in contrast with the dark colored grain. Zebrawood is excellent for wood turning, veneer, furniture, pens, and knife handles.
Walnut (juglans nigra) is a hard, tough wood prized as a cabinet making wood. It is also popular in the United States for gunstocks and rifle butts. Quality furniture, musical instrument, turnery, and carving also sees the use of walnut. Over the years the wood develops a lustrous patina.
Leopardwood (roupala spp) is an exotic wood with dark reddish-brown color with strong broad rays. This material is straight grained with medium texture. The highly flecked decorative surface makes this wood ideal for furniture and accent work.
Bocote (cordia gerascanthus) features a wide range of grain patterns from straight to wild, with curved lines and swirls. The color ranges from golden brown to tan to golden yellow. It is a hard, heavy, and dense wood, strong and stiff, with a medium texture. Mainly used for custom pool cues, cabinetry, veneer, furniture, inlays, knife handles, and pens.
Wenge (millettia laurenti) is medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish hue, with nearly black streaks. It is moderately hard and resistant to wearing and marring. Strength qualities in compression parallel to grain are exceptionally high.
Holly (ilex opaca) is a domestic wood that is for excellent turning, carving, and inlay. Holly ranges in color from white to ivory. Holly has a very close irregular grain with little or no discernable figure.
Sapele (entandrophragma cylindricum) is golden to a dark, reddish brown. The color tends to darken with age. It can be a difficult wood to work with, but finishes well. Popular with instrument makers and as a decorative veneer.
Ebony is a treasured hardwood and is among the naturally blackest woods on the planet. Ebony is the Greek word for "fruit of the gods". Historically, drinking goblets were made from its wood, as they believed it was an antidote for poison, and its use would ward off their enemy's evil intent. This may be the origin for many that think today, that a wooden wand made of gaboon ebony has magical powers.
In hardwoods, color occurs naturally across a wide range. There are purples, yellows, oranges, almond tones, browns, cinnamons, blacks, and shades of red.
Birdseye Maple (acer saccharum) is a rare and mysterious characteristic found in hard maple. There have been theories as to how Birdseye maple forms, but no scientific evidence has been presented to verify the true roots of its existence. The one-of-a-kind figure is sought after in all cultures by a multitude of woodworkers, craftsmen, and artists. Birdseye maple is excellent for custom pool cues, musical instruments, furniture, and small items such as jewelry boxes due to its unique and amazing figure.
Padauk (pterocarpus soyauxii) is an exotic wood that is a bright orange or almost crimson wood when freshly cut, but oxidizes to a darker, rich purple-brown over time. Slightly harder and heavier than Indian Rosewood it is a good wood in all respects - stable, and easy to work with.
Zebrawood (microberlinia brazzavillensis) is a hard wood, with a medium to coarse texture. The zebra-like appearance is due to the light colored sapwood in contrast with the dark colored grain. Zebrawood is excellent for wood turning, veneer, furniture, pens, and knife handles.
Walnut (juglans nigra) is a hard, tough wood prized as a cabinet making wood. It is also popular in the United States for gunstocks and rifle butts. Quality furniture, musical instrument, turnery, and carving also sees the use of walnut. Over the years the wood develops a lustrous patina.
Leopardwood (roupala spp) is an exotic wood with dark reddish-brown color with strong broad rays. This material is straight grained with medium texture. The highly flecked decorative surface makes this wood ideal for furniture and accent work.
Bocote (cordia gerascanthus) features a wide range of grain patterns from straight to wild, with curved lines and swirls. The color ranges from golden brown to tan to golden yellow. It is a hard, heavy, and dense wood, strong and stiff, with a medium texture. Mainly used for custom pool cues, cabinetry, veneer, furniture, inlays, knife handles, and pens.
Wenge (millettia laurenti) is medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or yellowish hue, with nearly black streaks. It is moderately hard and resistant to wearing and marring. Strength qualities in compression parallel to grain are exceptionally high.
Holly (ilex opaca) is a domestic wood that is for excellent turning, carving, and inlay. Holly ranges in color from white to ivory. Holly has a very close irregular grain with little or no discernable figure.
Sapele (entandrophragma cylindricum) is golden to a dark, reddish brown. The color tends to darken with age. It can be a difficult wood to work with, but finishes well. Popular with instrument makers and as a decorative veneer.
Ebony is a treasured hardwood and is among the naturally blackest woods on the planet. Ebony is the Greek word for "fruit of the gods". Historically, drinking goblets were made from its wood, as they believed it was an antidote for poison, and its use would ward off their enemy's evil intent. This may be the origin for many that think today, that a wooden wand made of gaboon ebony has magical powers.