{"product_id":"paperblanks-kara-ori-pink-ultra-softback-flexi-journal-plain-176-pages-fb9816-4","title":"Paperblanks Kara-ori Pink Ultra Softback Flexi Journal – Plain, 176 Pages","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapture your ideas, plans and memories in this Kara-ori Pink ultra softback flexi journal from Paperblanks, with 176 plain pages of 100 gsm acid-free paper.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShowcasing silk dyed with beni (the pigment extracted from safflower petals) and lacquered in gold, our Kara-ori Pink pattern is inspired by a kimono design that dates to the Edo period, when it was used as a costume for the theatrical style known as Noh. This exquisite embroidery also inspired our first design, Kara-ori, from this Japanese Kimono series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Story Behind the Design\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarmonious flowers, balanced colours and highly precise details create the eye-catching, high-impact effect of this Japanese kimono design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginally designed as a costume for the theatrical style known as \u003cem\u003eNoh\u003c\/em\u003e, our Kara-ori pattern leaves little doubt why Noh is derived from the words for “skill” and “talent.” With silk and gold lacquered stripes, this is one of the best examples of Japanese textile design we have found. It comes from the \u003cem\u003eEdo period\u003c\/em\u003e (1615–1868) when Noh theatre, known for the sumptuousness of its costumes, was at its height. Following the success of our first \u003cem\u003eKara-ori\u003c\/em\u003e design, released in Fall 2022 with a coral-inspired colour scheme, we are delighted to introduce \u003cem\u003eKara-ori Pink\u003c\/em\u003e for Fall 2024 as the latest title in our Japanese Kimono series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNoh theatre is one of the world’s oldest performing arts and has been handed down through generations of Japanese composers and performers. The plots draw from legend, history and contemporary events and are structured around song and dance. Though the thematic tone is often poetic yet monotonous, the costumes are anything but. In fact, Noh is often referred to as “mask drama” due to the importance placed on masks and costumes within the form.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe term karaori, for which this design is named, refers specifically to the exquisitely embroidered traditional woman’s kimono like the one reproduced here. Karaori are regarded as some of the most beautiful theatrical costumes in the world, thanks in part to the Japanese aristocracy’s embrace of the theatre style – as both viewers and performers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThough Noh is a Japanese art, karaori means “Chinese weave,” as the fabric has its roots in China. And like the costume reproduced in our Peking Opera Embroidery series, this too would have been crafted for a male performer playing a female role. Both the material itself and the pattern shown would have helped tell the story of the character. In this case, the stiff brocade technique created a thick, glossed fabric that would not drape easily – this was used to create an angular effect evoking the spirit of a noblewoman. The flowering grasses depicted served to emphasise the woman’s femininity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy the Meiji period (1868–1912) Noh had reached such heights that it was introduced overseas, influencing artists far and wide. William Butler Yeats, for example, wrote an essay on Noh in 1916 that he titled “Certain Noble Plays of Japan.” And even more contemporarily, David Byrne of the Talking Heads discovered Noh while touring Japan and, according to American music critic Josh Kun, was inspired by the highly stylised, stiff costumes to “design the oversize business suit that became a visual staple of Talking Heads live shows.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday there are more than 70 Noh theatres throughout Japan and it has been deigned an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. This beautiful example of karaori costuming can be found at the Art Institute of Chicago as part of the Otto C. Deering gift. It is our great pleasure to work with such a gorgeous and culturally important piece of history to craft this Paperblanks design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal artwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Karaori costume design for Noh Theatre\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ultra – 175 × 225 × 12 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 176 (88 sheets)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaper:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100 gsm acid-free smooth paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Softback flexi (flexible cover)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elastic band\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smyth sewn – lies flat and stays durable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorners:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rounded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePouch:\u003c\/strong\u003e Back cover pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kara-ori Pink\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japanese Kimono\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSatin ribbon marker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecorative printed cover paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEndpaper with credit and copyright information as well as historical background for the original artwork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThreaded stitching and glue, as needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcid-free paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMemento pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 396 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct code:\u003c\/strong\u003e FB9816-4 | \u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781439798164\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout Paperblanks\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaperblanks works with museums, libraries, galleries and artists around the world to faithfully reproduce remarkable artwork, historic bindings and treasured manuscripts, and every notebook is crafted with the same attention to detail, from the paper inside to the finish of the cover.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paperblanks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54386131206472,"sku":"FB9816-4","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/5114\/5032\/files\/9781439798164_Front_HighRes.png?v=1792778851","url":"https:\/\/shop.penandpaper.co.uk\/products\/paperblanks-kara-ori-pink-ultra-softback-flexi-journal-plain-176-pages-fb9816-4","provider":"The Pen and Paper Stationery Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}