Our Block Printed Paper collection developed from fabulous classical designs in our suppliers’ archives.  They are traditional Japanese motifs.  However, historians say some of them must have travelled all the way to Japan from Egypt, Greece and the Eastern Roman Empire as well as India and China from as early as the 7^th century. 

The Japanese block printed paper is called “Karakami” which translates as” paper from China”.  The collection has been made using traditional techniques that were first introduced to Japan in the 8^th century and which remain essentially unchanged to this day.  It is labour intensive and requires extraordinary craftsmanship to achieve a flawless finish.  Each block measures 30cm x 45cm and is applied to the paper at least ten times in order to create one sheet.  The ink is made using the traditional methods of combining powder from baked oyster shells with gelatine.  The shimmer is from finely ground quartz crystals in the ink.