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Kyoto Yuzen Washi by Shogado,

bringing refined color to ORIGAMI gift boxes.

Shogado Co., Ltd.

As a complimentary service, ORIGAMI gift boxes feature traditional noshi paper decorations crafted with Kyoto Yuzen Washi.

 

We visited Shogado Co., Ltd.—a Kyoto-based manufacturer and retailer of handcrafted Japanese paper products that creates our custom noshi—to speak with them about their story and the art of Yuzen Washi.

Bringing Kyoto's Heritage into Modern Living

Shogado was founded in Kyoto in 1964.

In its early years, the company specialized in fine traditional paper goods, such as shikishi art boards, tanzaku poetry cards, and guest registers.

A major turning point came in 2017 with the launch of the "goen" goshuin-cho (temple stamp book) series, shifting Shogado's focus toward developing everyday lifestyle accessories crafted with Yuzen paper.

The "goen" series features a cover wrapped in Yuzen paper with classic patterns, paired with a Tanto paper back cover.

By combining tactile Japanese paper with vibrant Western paper, it creates a modern design that seamlessly fits into everyday living and appeals to younger generations while honoring traditional Yuzen craft.

 

Through collaborations with designers, Shogado has also expanded the lineup with series like "neon" and "chic," which reinterpret "goen" patterns using contemporary color palettes.

 

Beyond the joy of selecting your favorite pattern and color, the beauty of Shogado's stamp books lies in their versatility—they are designed for far more than collecting temple stamps.

 

For instance, you can create a "coffee journal" by pasting cards collected from local cafes, or build a "travel log" with train tickets and museum passes from your journeys.

 

Adorned in radiant Yuzen paper, each notebook naturally becomes a personalized keepsake for your fondest memories.

 

Shogado proposes a fresh way to enjoy Kyoto's time-honored Yuzen paper—integrating heritage craft into the rhythm of modern life.

 

In addition to goshuin-cho stamp books, Shogado offers a wide variety of lifestyle goods made with Yuzen paper.

Their lineup includes matching stamp book bags, memo pads bound using traditional Japanese thread-stitching techniques, and versatile catchall trays—all designed to bring the beauty of Yuzen paper into everyday life.

 

Opened last year, their flagship store "SHOGADO ADASHINO HOUSE" welcomes numerous visitors from Japan and abroad every day.

In-store, guests can physically touch the Yuzen paper while enjoying the process of choosing their favorites from a rich selection of colors and patterns. It serves as a destination where visitors can firsthand experience Shogado's philosophy: making traditional Yuzen paper accessible, familiar, and freely enjoyed by all.

"Moving forward, we want to create products that integrate Yuzen paper into interior design—such as lighting fixtures—beyond stationery and daily sundries," says Mr. Matsuo, CEO of Shogado.

 

Bringing the time-honored charm of Yuzen paper closer to home and deeper into everyday life.

Unbound by traditional paper formats, Shogado continues to unlock new possibilities for Yuzen paper, and we look forward to seeing where their journey leads next.

Yuzen Paper Crafted Through Hand Block Printing

Japanese paper, or washi, is one of Japan's most celebrated traditional crafts, with papermaking regions spanning across the country.

Each region's washi carries its own unique heritage and culture, offering a diverse array of characteristics and distinct textures.

 

Yuzen Washi is a magnificent craft born in Kyoto during the Edo period, capturing the vibrant patterns and rich colors of kimono Yuzen dyeing on handmade paper.

 

While original designs were hand-painted during the Edo period, the Showa era introduced hand screen printing—where artisans apply dye color by color using stencils—to meet demand for broader production.

Though digitally printed Yuzen patterns are common today, Shogado remains dedicated to using Yuzen paper dyed through traditional hand screen printing by skilled artisans, preserving the authentic craftsmanship since the Showa era.

The process of hand screen printing varies slightly from studio to studio.

The Yuzen paper crafted for Shogado is dyed sheet by sheet through meticulous artisan handwork.

 

1. Securing the paper onto the print table

First, sheets of washi paper are aligned along an inclined print table measuring approximately 25 meters in length. In a single run, 30 sheets are lined up in a row, with 2 to 3 rows prepared side by side.

 

2. Hand printing one color at a time using stencils

In hand screen printing, each stencil transfers only a single color.

The artisan positions the stencil over each sheet, hand-applying the dye with precision sheet by sheet.

 

3. Drying and completing the Yuzen paper

Once all colors have been applied and the pigments dry, the Yuzen paper is complete.

Individual sheets crafted by hand then transform into a variety of finished products.

 

A single sheet of paper reborn through artisan craftsmanship into lifestyle objects for daily living.

 

This thoughtful transformation lies at the very heart of Shogado's dedication to craft.

For a design composed of five colors, five separate stencils are used to layer each shade one by one. Through this meticulous process of building up colors sequentially, the intricate pattern gradually comes to life.

Bringing Yuzen Washi into Daily Life

Each sheet of Shogado's Yuzen paper is meticulously hand-dyed by skilled artisans.

Built through layers of color and precise patterns over time, every piece carries the distinct warmth and depth of true handcrafting.

 

At ORIGAMI, we adorn our gift boxes with noshi created from this exceptional Yuzen paper.

Rather than discarding this beautiful paper after receiving your gift, we encourage you to repurpose and enjoy it in your everyday life.

 

For instance, simply folding the noshi around a paperback creates a custom book cover, letting you carry the exquisite Yuzen pattern wherever you read.

It can also be repurposed into handmade envelopes, personal message cards, or small gift wrapping.

 

What once wrapped a thoughtful gift becomes a vibrant accent in your daily routine—extending the lifespan and enjoyment of this traditional Yuzen craft.

Title

Shogado Co., Ltd. ADASHINO HOUSE

18 Rokutan-cho, Saga Toriimoto, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8438, Japan

https://shogado.co.jp/

info@shogado.co.jp

@shogado_kyoto
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