Paper Haiku

February 8, 2014 10:48 AM

How to make handmade Japanese scroll paper.
(Many other traditional artisans at Gucci Japan)
posted by growabrain (18 comments total)

Something I didn't even know I didn't know. Sick.
posted by cman at 10:56 AM on February 8, 2014 [3 favorites]

That's amazing! How do they keep the paper from folding along the wood cut lines?
posted by klausman at 11:15 AM on February 8, 2014

Very cool!
posted by sneebler at 11:18 AM on February 8, 2014

Is scroll paper really the term for this? I don't get similar results when I search google for it and I would like to learn more.
posted by starvingartist at 11:22 AM on February 8, 2014

WHAAAAAT that is legit. I could sit and watch (and listen!) to that all day.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 11:28 AM on February 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

it's hakone parquet
posted by titus n. owl at 11:30 AM on February 8, 2014 [2 favorites]

I'm not sure I have the dexterity or strength in my hands anymore to do this but I have got to try this. Creatively, this is really speaking to me. Thanks for the post.

(and listen!)

Yes!!
posted by Room 641-A at 12:06 PM on February 8, 2014

Looks amazing!

I know that if I tried this there would be ripped paper, blood and strips of human skin everywhere. And lots of swearing.
posted by greenhornet at 1:20 PM on February 8, 2014

Some interesting details about Hakone marquetry here.
posted by islander at 2:09 PM on February 8, 2014 [2 favorites]

There was a good AMA reddit interview with the traditional Japanese woodblock carver David Bull yesterday. (previously)
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:44 PM on February 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

Honestly dropped my jaw when the first sheet was cut, and it stayed dropped until after the second time I watched. I can hardly understand how that stays together, or how clever that is.
posted by lucidium at 4:59 PM on February 8, 2014 [3 favorites]

Amazing. Does anybody know what kind of glue they use? There's practically no contact area after the sheets of veneer are cut, yet it holds together. Want!
posted by Quietgal at 6:42 PM on February 8, 2014

I cannot even imagine how sharp the blade on that plane must be.
posted by rifflesby at 7:53 PM on February 8, 2014

Probably about this sharp.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:09 PM on February 8, 2014

Honestly dropped my jaw when the first sheet was cut, and it stayed dropped until after the second time I watched.

I couldn't figure out what he was doing until then. Amazing.
posted by immlass at 10:03 PM on February 8, 2014 [1 favorite]

That was amazing. Thank you.
posted by lslelel at 9:42 AM on February 9, 2014

Is scroll paper really the term for this? I don't get similar results when I search google for it and I would like to learn more.

Seems Hakone is famous for it but the general term would be 寄木細工 / yosegizaiku (literally just "joined-wood detail work").
posted by 23 at 6:57 PM on February 9, 2014 [1 favorite]

More fantastic stuff! If you liked the Hakone marquetry link, this collection (via 23's Wiki link above) is also amazing.
(Edited to remove excess superlatives...)
posted by sneebler at 6:55 PM on February 10, 2014