Washi Boxes™
Decorative storage handcrafted with elegant handmade Japanese papers.
These
wooden boxes are styled in the fashion of large wooden boxes used in Japan to
ship and store bulk tea. They have been covered with Japanese handmade
"washi" paper.
Washi paper is crafted in Japan by mountain inhabitants in the cold of winter to make use of the pure waters from melting snow. The icy water eliminates bacteria which would contaminate the fibers. The fiber for washi paper comes from the bark of small trees similar to mulberry. These fibers undergo a lengthy process of steaming, drying, scraping, boiling, rinsing, picking and beating to shorten, soften, separate, bleach and hydrate them. The fibers are then placed in a wooden vat of cold water with a suspension agent. A screen is plunged into the vat and lifted out, then repeatedly and rhythmically shaken from side to side and back and forth, so that an even network of fibers cross and intertwine making the strength of washi paper.
The sheets of paper are placed one at a time on boards and dried in the winter sun. This particular washi paper is then screen printed, once for each color, for use in washi crafts. The covering of these boxes has been designed by artist Jan McGregor. Ms. McGregor has the boxes handcrafted in Japan before distributing them to you.
Washi
Boxes will keep tea fresh, except in the most humid of climates. They are also
the perfect size for recipes or photographs. Although their uses are endless,
they are designed to stand alone as an artistic accent in any room of your home.
The
interior of the jewelry box and its divided tray are lined with a velvet fabric
to match the exterior washi paper.
Retail Cost:
Washi Box, Small $28.00
Washi Box, Medium $34.00
Washi Box, Large $45.00
Jewelry Box $70.00
Home Page * Artist Profile * Retail Art
(360) 678-5015