Often inspired by textile and kimono patterns which include symbolic and seasonal motifs, designers of chiyogami continue to expand the options to ever-new heights. Cranes for longevity, bamboo for flexibility, cherry blossoms for the fleeting nature of life, and pine boughs for perseverance are a few of the hundreds of symbols printed in endless colours and combinations.
Luscious, vibrantly-coloured Chiyogami papers are hand-printed using the silk-screen technique. In this laborious process each colour is applied using a separate screen. Sometimes as many as 12 colours, including gold or other metallics, may be used to create a single pattern.
