Kozo Thin White Paper by Awagami

This paper is a thinner relative of Awagami Kozo Thick White paper. Kozo, the fibre from the mulberry tree, is the most traditional fibre used in Japanese papermaking. The fibres are much longer than those from materials used in Western papers. They produce exceptionally strong paper.

The weight of this archival (ph neutral) paper is 70gsm, which means it is translucent. For framing it can be mounted on white board but it could also be backlit.

Because this paper is thin, even though it is strong, holding a print immediately feels very precious - just like handling a treasure. You become aware that each print is a unique object and appreciate that careless handling will produce damage. This paper is another wonderful example of the delicate-yet-strong paradox. It challenges our Western preconception that only thick, cardboard-like paper is “good” paper. (more …)

A paper of this calibre will always display a certain amount of variation from one sheet to another. For instance, some minute irregularity in the pulp or the occasional tiny fleck may be visible. This is not a fault but a result of the paper making process, which marks it out over the sterility of mass produced papers.

Used in: Series Symmetry
I first used this paper in the series Symmetry because it supports and enforces my comments about the environmental element in this body of work.

Prints