Chiyogami Flowers, Birds, Wind and Moon --From the Shugyoku Bunko collection at the Japanese paper store "Haibara" in Nihonbashi

We will be holding an exhibition of the valuable collection of washi paper materials from Haibara, a long-established store that opened its "Ganpishi" (paper making) shop in Edo Nihonbashi in 1806.

Shibahara became known throughout Edo for its high-quality Japanese paper, including Atami-made ganpi paper, but also handled "komagagami" (small paper for wrapping paper) such as illustrated half-pieces and noshi (gift wrapping paper). Among these, woodblock-printed chiyogami paper was highly acclaimed for its vividness and intricate printing, and was even exhibited at the World Exposition during the Meiji period.

In the days when traditional patterns were popular, the Haibara family commissioned the designs of komagami paper from leading artists of the time, such as Kawabata Gyokusho, Shibata Zeshin, and Kawanabe Kyosai. This was indicative of the strong desire of the third head of the family, Haibara Naojiro, to "incorporate excellent art into daily life."

This exhibition will display approximately 150 pieces from the Shugyokubunko Collection, named after Naojiro's pen name, including chiyogami paper, illustrated envelopes, tanzaku paper, fans, gift wrapping, and sketches, showcasing the elegant and refined world of washi paper.