Washi

[legionzilla]

Yesterday, I got some really great paper from a local bookstore, Kinokuniya. I didn't know Grimmhobby supplied to them until yesterday.

For those who don't know what Grimmhobby is, Grimmhobby is a Japanese online store specialising in Origami papers.

So basically I got some real nice Tant and something called Mingei Washi, which is a really amazing paper. It is really thin and strong, and the colurs are really vibrant.

This paper was really dang expensive though. 1 sheet cost more than 1 Sing dollar!

I just wanted to know how you use Washi. Do you need to MC it before using. What level of origami can it be used for?

Thanks beforehand.

L'zilla

[Wizmatt]

As far as I know, washi is the japanese term for 'paper', so can mean any type of paper. It is traditionally handmade but there are machine made papers out there. If you could tell us the fibre it is made of then we might be able to help more

[earth]

How large is the sheet?

[Ben385]

I have some sheets of ~60gsm pure kozo washi, in slightly bigger than A4 size. They respond well to MC, but when I tried backcoating them to foil they felt almost as thick as cardboard and wouldn't fold at all.

[legionzilla]

I though washi does not mean paper. Kami does. I dunno what type of fibre it is (blame it on my lack of paper knowledge)

The dimensions of the square would be 26 by 26 cm. The other thing I know is that Grimmhobbies makes it.

Thanks all anyway! Advanced origami may come useful here...

[HankSimon]

I think that kami is loosely used in Origami to refer to colorful squares of Origami paper. Washi refers to higher fiber or higher cotton content, resulting in a stronger paper that does not tear easily.

I've been using Washi for Senbazuru. Framed, they make great gifts. I imagine that butterflies would look nice in colorful washi.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~hanksimon/senbazuru.jpg

- Hank Simon

[Jonnycakes]

From Wikipedia: Washi comes from wa, meaning Japanese and shi, meaning paper. So washi refers to any Japanese paper and loosely refers to handmade paper in the traditional style. It can be made from a multitude of different fibers, but is commonly from gampi, the mitsumata shrub or mulberry (kozo).

Washi can be a huge variety of different papers, but you will generally need to MC it before folding it. It should dry-fold okay depending on the model you are folding and the thickness/composition of the paper, but wet-folding would probably be best. The complexity of model you try should be based on the thickness of the paper.

[Brimstone]

As Johnycakes said washi is the handmade paper made in the traditional way. The decorations are unique in every sheet since they can not be reproduced exactly.

There is also washi-mitation, be careful with it.

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

It depends on the qualities of the washi. What is the gsm?

[legionzilla]

Tks Ben!

Jonnycakes, the paper is approx 50-60 gsm. The paper is undecorated and come in simple shades of colours.

Tks all!

[origami_8]

Legionzilla: Tks is not a word!
Please use correct existing words, in this case "Thanks" or "Thank you".

[Jonnycakes]

50-60 gsm should be good for a lot of complex models as long as you have a big enough sheet. For insects and the like, you will probably want something thinner, though.

[insaneorigami]

Jon is right - 50-60 is good for most models. I use generally 40 or 41 gsm paper (non-washi), and it's great. Quick question about washi - is there anywhere to order it that has paper that doesn't come with flowers and bridges designed on it? Everywhere I look, I see patterned paper..

[wolf]

HQ PaperMaker sells non-patterned washi. It's been mentioned on this forum a few times (use the search function).

The most informative articles on washi, especially in the origami context, are the ones by Joseph Wu (http://www.origami.as, under articles) and Robert Lang (http://www.langorigami.com, under info/paper). Both are well worth a read.

[Second200]

Wow! Thank you wolf! I have been looking for paper like this for quite some time!