{"product_id":"paperblanks-kara-ori-ultra-hardback-journal-plain-144-pages-pb9299-5","title":"Paperblanks Kara-ori Ultra Hardback Journal – Plain, 144 Pages","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapture your ideas, plans and memories in this Kara-ori ultra hardback journal from Paperblanks, with 144 plain pages of 120 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, this kimono design dates to the Edo period (1615–1868), when it was used as a costume for the theatrical style known as Noh. Karaori refers specifically to the exquisitely embroidered traditional woman’s kimono that Noh theatre was known for.\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 Noh, 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 Edo period (1615–1868) when Noh theatre, known for the sumptuousness of its costumes, was at its height.\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 – 180 × 230 × 20 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 144 (72 sheets)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaper:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120 gsm acid-free cream laid paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wrap closure with hidden magnets\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 Square\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePouch:\u003c\/strong\u003e Memento pouch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kara-ori\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\u003e100% recycled binder boards\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 545 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct code:\u003c\/strong\u003e PB9299-5 | \u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781439792995\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. Every book is made to last, with binder boards crafted from 100% recycled materials, and the back endpaper tells the fascinating story behind the cover design and credits its creators.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paperblanks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54386216763720,"sku":"PB9299-5","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/5114\/5032\/files\/9781439792995_Front_HighRes.png?v=1792779814","url":"https:\/\/shop.penandpaper.co.uk\/products\/paperblanks-kara-ori-ultra-hardback-journal-plain-144-pages-pb9299-5","provider":"The Pen and Paper Stationery Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}