Paperblanks Hishi Cotton Tote Bag

Carry your journals, books and everyday essentials in style with this Hishi cotton tote bag from Paperblanks, featuring a handy inner zip pocket.

The kimono pattern that inspired this design was originally a woodblock print created by Japanese art publishers for theatrical costumes. This genre of artwork, known as “ukiyo-e,” dates to the Edo period (1603–1868), and this particular design was created sometime during the early 1900s.

The Story Behind the Design

We discovered this pattern while touring an antique market in Japan many years ago and were immediately drawn to the possibilities held within the small paper swatch. At the market there was a man with mountains of incredibly old paper – not books, but actual sheets and sheets of loose paper. Enchanted by the potential, we dove into this pile and scoured the stacks for hours. We ended up finding a multitude of tiny squares of artwork which turned out to be sample patterns used by Japanese theatre companies in the 1900s. We learned these pieces were based on “ukiyo-e,” a type of woodblock prints originating from the 17th to 19th centuries.

Ukiyo-e, meaning “pictures of the floating world,” is an ancient art form capturing snippets of the everyday lives of the Edo period’s prosperous merchant class. This style is known for depicting the most indulgent aspects of the period, including kabuki actors, sumo wrestlers, beautiful women, travel scenes, and flora and fauna. This geometric Hishi pattern stems from this tradition and has been named for a Japanese term describing something that is diamond shaped.

The ukiyo-e style of art experienced a resurgence during the 1900s when theatre companies refashioned the designs to create patterns for their costumes which, in turn, were so beautiful and admired that they inspired everyday fashion and kimono trends. It is due to the long-lasting appeal of these designs that it is the technique the Western world most closely associates with Japanese artistic style. Hand-designed by the greatest craftsmen of the Edo period, these original designs and the reproductions they have inspired highlight the small details and lifestyle representations that were celebrated during the time.

• Original artwork: Kimono print
• Era: 1900s
• Region: Japan

Product Details

• Dimensions: 380 × 380 × 90 mm
• Design: Hishi
• Series: Ukiyo-e Kimono Patterns
• Material: Cotton
• Inner zipper pocket size: 220 × 155 mm
• Strap Colour: Cream
• Holds up to 7 kilograms (approximately 15.5 lbs)
• Durable strap for carrying the bag over one's shoulder
• Branded Paperblanks tag
• Artwork credit printed on inside of the bag
• Weight: 260 g
• Product code: PA8151-7 | ISBN: 9781439781517

About Paperblanks

Paperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts, bringing the same care and craftsmanship found in its celebrated journals to every accessory.