Awagami Kozo Thick White Fine Art 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 beauty of this paper is captivating, its feel sensuous.

Despite its name, at a weight of 110gsm this is not a thick paper for Western understanding. This paper still retains some slight, graceful translucency if backlit. It is an excellent example of the delicate-yet-strong paradox. Whilst in the West we think that only thick paper is good paper, it is in fact the techniques for making thin papers that show the real skills of the papermaker.

Awagami Kozo Thick White Fine Art Paper

This paper, AIJP (Awagami Inkjet Paper) Kozo Thick White is archival quality. It is manufactured by a Japanese eighth generation family mill specialising in Awa Washi. The paper is specially coated to preserve digital tonal depths. It has become my ‘standard’ paper, which I use for most of my work.

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 makes it beautiful and marks it out over the sterility of mass produced papers.

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To learn more about the centuries-old heritage, fibre cultivation and traditional master papermaking techniques behind these archival papers, visit the official Awagami Factory Website (Opens in a new window).