Kumohada-mashi ( 雲肌麻紙 ) means “Hemp paper with a cloud-like pattern”.
Echizen is the name of a region in Japan where Iwano Paper Studio is located. Echizen Washi is a traditional Japanese paper produced mainly in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan, and its history dates back about 1,500 years. Over this long history, Echizen Washi has become known for its high quality and diverse uses, and it remains deeply rooted in Japanese culture and life to this day.
Kumohada-mashi, made by the Iwano Heizaburou paper studio, is a handmade Japanese paper made mainly from hemp and mulberry bark, and is widely used for Japanese-style painting. The name comes from the way the fibers become intertwined on the surface of the paper, creating a cloud-like pattern.
In 1926 (the first year of the Showa era), the first Iwano Heizaburou, at the suggestion of Naito Konan of Kyoto Imperial University, set about restoring the production of hemp paper, which had fallen into decline. As a result, he succeeded in creating Kumohada-mashi, a paper that combines the strength of hemp with the fine texture of kozo and a small amount of gampi.
Iwano Heizaburou paper studio’s Echizen Washi has been used by many famous Japanese-style painters. Some of the most famous of these painters include the masters Yokoyama Taikan ( 横山 大観 ), Hirayama Ikuo ( 平山 郁夫 ) and Higashiyama Kaii ( (東山 魁夷, ). They were attracted by the warmth and unique texture of the washi, and chose Iwano Papermaking Workshop’s Kumohada Mashi for their artwork.
For more about Iwano Heizaburou paper studio
Toughness and flexibility:
Because it uses hemp fibers, the paper is extremely strong and can withstand thick layers of paint. At the same time, it is also flexible, so the brush glides smoothly when drawing.
Smoothness of the surface:
The surface of the paper is almost completely smooth, and the colors of the paint show up well. The smooth side is the front side, and the rough side is the back side.
What is the difference between “Sized” and “Raw ( unsized )”?
“Sized” paper is a Japanese washi technique that uses mainly glue and alum to prevent the paper from bleeding. ‘Raw’ paper is paper that has not been treated in this way.
Arlo Mercia, a talented and well-known artist living on Tasmania Island in Australia, has created wonderful works on this paper.
Please enlarge these pictures and take a look. The outlines of the pictures are clearly expressed on the “Sized” paper. This paper is suitable for general watercolors. On the other hand, the “Raw” paper gives the pictures a unique character with its mysterious blurring, which is characteristic of Japanese washi paper. This paper is suitable for inkstick black-and white paintings and calligraphy.
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An Australian Forest Raven and Eucalyptus branch
( Sized Kumohada-mashi paper )
Painted with Suibokugayou Aozumi and Saibiboku
Arlo Mercia
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An Australian Forest Raven and Eucalyptus branch
( Raw Kumohada-mashi paper )
Painted with Suibokugayou Aozumi and Saibiboku
Arlo Mercia
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She was kind enough to share this wonderful review with us.
"This is a thick paper with a velvety feel that is very absorbent.
The unsized version in particular is very thirsty and quickly exhausts the brush, so it requires good moisture control to gain the desired effects.
This means it is good for dry brush effects.
If the ink is fairly thick it is possible to do quite detailed work.
If the brush is wet it will soak up the water fast and produce pleasing soft wet effects.
It is good for wet on wet techniques as if the paper is already wet the colours will run and blend well. As the paper dries the colours will continue to soften and blend, creating pleasing nuances in tone.
The sized version is a noticeably deeper tone of cream, and very attractive.
It is still an absorbent paper - only slightly less so than the unsized version, so it still requires careful moisture control as the ink will spread easily, only not so fast or so far as with the unsized version.
It is very good for dry brush work and fine detail is possible if the brush is kept quite dry.
On the unsized Kumohada paper I have painted a Kingfisher with Lotus. I used Saibiboku colours with Suibokugayou ink.
On the sized Kumohada paper I have painted a Steller Sea Eagle which can be found in northern Japan. I used Toukaen Paulownia Oil ink for the eagle, Suibokugayou Aozumi for the water and Teiou Shiboku ink for the mountains, and white."
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Arlo Mercia art gallery by Ichi inc., Japan
Paper Specifications
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Name:
- Kumohada-mashi washi paper ( 雲肌麻紙 )
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Manufacturing method :
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Color:
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Size:
- 410mm x 300 mm ( 12 sheets )
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Thickness:
- 0.23㎜
( Since it is pure handmade, the weight will vary )
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Weight:
- 83-100 grams / square meter
( Since it is pure handmade, the weight will vary )
This weight is for the paper only. The weight at the time of shipping, which is related to shipping costs, will be this weight plus the weight of the packaging box.
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Material:
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Paper mulberry ( Kozo, 楮 ) , Edgeworthia chrysantha ( Mitsumata, 三椏 ), Hemp
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Variations :
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Raw ( 生 ）
It has not been treated to stop bleeding. It is suitable for black and white painting and calligraphy.
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Sized ( ドーサ ) for Watercolor painting.
It is processed so that it does not bleed, and is suitable for watercolors.
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Extra:
- Offcuts of papers
( You can use it to test brushes and colors.)
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Manufacturer:
Delivery Schedule: 3 weeks
This paper is processed to a size exclusive to our company, ICHI Inc. Therefore, it takes about three weeks from the time of order to the time it leaves Japan. It will take even longer for it to reach you.
Custom size order available.
We also accept custom orders for special sizes.
The original size of this paper is 1880mm x 970mm. We process it to the largest size that is easy for you to use and can be delivered at the lowest delivery rate.
However if you wish, we can send you a larger size that better suits your needs.In that case, the shipping fee will change.
There are also larger sizes than this available as well( 1060mm ×1970mm, 1270mm × 1880mm, 1520mm × 2120mm, 1820mm × 2420mm, 2120 mm × 2730mm).
If you are interested in, please contact us.
