[I tried printing] Awa Washi Unryu Usukuchi White charm

It is often referred to as ``cloud flow''.

You can feel the elegance that emanates from Japanese paper the moment you open the box and touch the paper.

It's so beautiful that you can't help but smile. It's rare to find such exciting paper that makes you want to imagine what would happen if you printed out the photo you took or the illustration you drew the other day.

Washi, also called "Japanese paper," is a paper made using an ancient Japanese method. Features: Thin and durable. It is attracting attention from overseas as one of Japan's proud traditional crafts.

There are many types of Japanese paper that can be used as raw materials, including hemp, grain, ganpi, kozo, dan, and mitsumata.

There are many Japanese paper producing regions across the country, so here we will introduce Awa Washi, which is available at PHOTOPRI.

Awa Washi (also called Awa paper) is a type of washi paper produced in Yoshinogawa City, Tokushima Prefecture, Ikeda Town, Miyoshi City, and Naka Town, Naga District, and is designated as a national traditional craft.

The raw materials are kozo, mitsumata, etc., and it is characterized by its gentle color and excellent water resistance . One of the interesting things about washi is that it has different expressions depending on the paper.

Awa washi paper is compatible with inkjet printers and is often used for professional production because it can achieve high image quality and rich reproducibility.

<Handling paper>

• [Awa Washi] Cloud style light white <Go to product page>
• [Awa Washi] Kozo thick white <Go to product page>

[Awa Washi] The choice of cloud flow

Impression Hanashi

Through my work, I have had many opportunities to come into contact with the unryu style of Awa Washi, and have experienced firsthand the charm of paper.

Because it is a unique paper, the number of paper that is used is small compared to other papers, but if I were to describe Kumoryu in one word, it would be "delicate."

I think many people are impressed by the delicacy of Japanese paper when they see it, but I feel that Unryu is one step ahead.

In modern times, with the spread of SNS, more and more people are posting photos of themselves on smartphones and computers.

We live in an era where it is easy for people who are active in professional fields, such as photographers, photographers, and illustrators, as well as people who enjoy photography as a hobby, to easily publish their work on SNS.

Compared to a few years ago, I feel that many people today don't even bother with the act of "printing." I have many opportunities to see my works on display, and I am satisfied with them. At the same time, there are many people who aim to publish their work on SNS, and that is their goal.

But I think that's a waste (maybe it's just my ego). Personally, I would like you to experience the process of actually ``printing'' on paper.

If you have never printed on washi paper before, it may take some courage to choose it for the first time, but I think it will be a great experience to collaborate your own work with Japanese tradition .

essence of essence

[Awa Washi] Cloud style = delicate.

When we hear the word ``delicate,'' we associate words such as ``fine,'' ``weak,'' and ``slender.'' It may be said that it is a negative word, but contrary to the impression you get from such words, you can actually feel that cloud flow is strong .

What is that strength?

Physically speaking, washi paper itself has a strength that is achieved through its manufacturing process, making it difficult to tear. Its strength is also due to its excellent water resistance.

However, we are not talking about whether the paper is physically suitable for long-term preservation or anything like that, but rather, we are looking at the paper and thinking about where the impression that the paper leaves on the viewer comes from, what makes it feel that way, and what is its essence. I thought about it while doing so.

I mentioned above that negative words line up, but at the same time, only one positive word came to mind.

I am convinced that this is the great potential of Kumoryu.

Graceful.

This may sound simplistic, but I think this is the element that forms the basis of Kumoryu. And this is also the strength of Japanese paper called Unryu.

What you receive from the paper when you touch the cloud flow is influenced by the elegance it exudes.

Gentle and beautiful.

Any further explanation may be rather unfashionable. I want you to actually hold it in your hands and feel it. That's all I wish for.

What kind of photos/illustrations are suitable?

First of all, for reference, most of the people who order Japanese paper from "PHOTOPRI" want illustrations . They are not just ordinary illustrations, but many of them incorporate Japanese tastes .

There may be no need to explain this part.

I would say that I understand it with a sense that is unique to Japanese people. Japanese-style illustrations on traditional Japanese paper. There's no way they wouldn't go together like white rice and gyoza. A combination that everyone agrees is delicious.

The problem is when printing data taken with a camera .

For example, when you print on glossy photo paper, as you might imagine, the data is taken using a camera. Memories of delicious food, cool cars, clear skies, and trips with friends.

Anything is fine as long as it is photographed with a camera, but if you are thinking of printing on washi paper, I think it is necessary to decide in advance what kind of subject you will photograph on-site .

As I introduced in the article on premium matte paper, if the color tone is restricted like in the photo above, it is difficult to make mistakes even if you print on [Awa Washi] Unryu.

Especially if the photo is monochrome, it will have a sense of unity with the paper, and the viewer will not feel any discomfort .

If you look closely at the paper, you will see that it has a pattern that looks like small clouds are scattered about, making it a unique design.

If this pattern covers something that is the main character of each photo, such as a human eye, it will result in an unfortunate result that will not fit well with the work.

I think it would be better to use something like a landscape photo to match the unique texture.

It is difficult to think of Kumoryu as a paper that can be used for all purposes, but I believe that when combined with photographic data, it can produce excellent results.

Even if used in a solo exhibition, its presence will give a quiet overwhelming feeling to the viewer.

I believe that using washi, a unique and characteristic paper, will create a gap between my work and other papers, and will make my work even more successful.

I believe that by printing ordinary landscape photos taken on a trip on a cloud stream, it has such a powerful power that it can transform it from just a photo to a work of art.

Even if it is as fragile as a cloud, it can remain firmly in people's memories. Those emotions and surprises flow from person to person through the work.

It is often referred to as ``cloud flow''.

bonus

We also recommend [Awa Washi] Kozo thick white that is sold at ``PHOTOPRI''.

We can accommodate not only smaller sizes such as A4 and A3, but also larger sizes up to B0.

For example, there are people who want to create dynamic expressions using washi paper at exhibitions, and people who print it on A4 size paper and use it at restaurants that serve small Japanese dishes. Please consider this paper as it can be used in a wide range of widths.

[Awa Washi] Would you like to try printing a sample of Unryu?

Just like you take a test drive when you buy a car, we want you to use the trial print service and experience the paper for yourself before printing.

You can't really understand the texture, texture, color reproduction, etc. of a wide variety of papers, such as glossy paper, matte paper, fine art paper, and Japanese paper, until you actually hold the printed material in your hands.

Even if you try to choose the best one from a large number of papers, it may be difficult. There are many people who don't know which one to choose.

You can print a trial print using your own photo data .

We have a trial set that suits your preferences, so please take advantage of it!