Shiro-mashi ( 白麻紙 ) means “White Hemp paper”.
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.
Shiro-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.
As the name suggests, this is a hemp paper that is characterized by its beautiful white color. The main ingredients are hemp and mulberry bark, and it combines toughness and smoothness. This paper is widely used in ink painting and Japanese painting.
Shiro-mashi is used by many artists because of its beautiful white color and excellent characteristics. It is particularly highly regarded in the fields of ink painting and Japanese painting, and is known as a paper that brings out the colors and expression of works of art.
Shiro-mashi is a type of Japanese paper that combines traditional techniques with modern needs, and its quality and beauty is highly regarded by artists both in Japan and overseas. The texture and color of the paper are very important elements in the creation of works of art, and Shiro-mashi is an excellent choice in this regard.
For more about Iwano Heizaburou paper studio
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 Shiro-mashi paper )
Painted with Suibokugayou Aozumi and Saibiboku
Arlo Mercia
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An Australian Forest Raven and Eucalyptus branch
( Raw Shiro-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 paper is a beautiful ivory white. It is much finer than the Kumohada paper, but still far more robust than many mulberry/rice papers, and there was no wrinkling during painting, even with a wet brush.
The sized version of Shiro-mashi is quite water resistant and so very suitable for gongbi/fine-line painting. It was possible to do very intricate details with a tiny brush and there was no running or blurring of strokes.
When I used more water the ink pooled on the surface rather than soaking in. It was easy to manipulate the ink, and it left sharp edges when it dried.
The unsized Shiro-mashi is a very versatile paper. It performs beautifully across the whole range of painting techniques. It handles fine detail just as well as wet on wet.
On the sized Shiro-mashi I have painted Fairy Pittas which migrate to spend winter in South-East Asia, and can be found in souther Japan. I used Koukaboku Five Star ink and Saibiboku with white and yellow.
On the unsized Shiro-mashi I have painted a Blakiston's Fish Owl, which hunts for fish along the snowy rivers of northern Japan. I used Toukaen Paulownia Oil ink for the owl and Suibokugayou Aozumi ink for the water with white for snow.
"
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Fairy Pittas
( Sized Shiro-mashi paper )
Painted with Koukaboku Five Star ink, Saibiboku color ink with white and yellow.
Arlo Mercia
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Blakiston's Fish Owl
( Raw Shiro-mashi paper )
Painted with Toukaen Paulownia Oil ink for the owl and Suibokugayou Aozumi ink for the water with white for snow and yellow.
Arlo Mercia
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Arlo Mercia art gallery by Ichi inc., Japan
Paper Specifications
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Name:
- Shiro-mashi washi paper ( 白麻紙 )
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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:
- 0.15㎜
( Since it is pure handmade, the weight will vary )
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Weight:
- 63-70 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( 1520mm × 2120mm, 1820mm × 2420mm, 2120 mm × 2730mm).
If you are interested in, please contact us.
