{"product_id":"paperblanks-karakusa-bookmark-pa9325-1","title":"Paperblanks Karakusa Bookmark","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNever lose your place again with this beautifully crafted Karakusa bookmark from Paperblanks – the perfect companion for a favourite novel or journal, and a delightful little gift.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA \u003cem\u003ekarakusa\u003c\/em\u003e is an arabesque design of vines or branches and was a popular motif for creating lacquerware. This style, using gold powder sprinkled onto lacquer, developed during the Heian period and thrived in the Edo period, the era from which this design likely originates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe Story Behind the Design\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost countries make a dedicated effort to preserve their cultural legacies, but Japan is a leader in ensuring that traditional forms of art and craft remain not just honoured but widely practiced.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur Japanese Lacquer Boxes designs feature art that was created centuries ago, as do many Paperblanks journals. What makes this series stand out is that while many techniques celebrated by our journals have been largely relegated to history, the “maki-e” lacquerware tradition adorning these covers still has its adepts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaki-e is just one of many Japanese decorative techniques involving the use of lacquer. The name of this method literally means “sprinkled” and refers to the process of applying metallic powders to wood coated with the sap of the lacquer tree. This sap is a highly toxic material requiring extremely careful handling and an inordinate amount of skill – nothing less than you would expect of these devoted Japanese artisans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is a marvel how the gloss of the polished lacquered surface and the brilliance of details in metallic colours together create an uncanny sense of depth characterising each image.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe design that decorates our Karakusa cover comes from the paintwork on a Japanese lacquer box dating from the early 19th century and currently held in a private collection. A “karakusa” is an arabesque design of vines or branches that was a popular motif for creating lacquerware, making it the perfect choice for this cover design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eToday, even after more than a thousand years of being in use, the sublime maki-e tradition continues to inspire Japanese artisans to create exceptionally beautiful and desirable objects.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal artwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maki-e tradition lacquerware box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Edo or Meiji Period\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\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40 × 185 × 1 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Karakusa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japanese Lacquer Boxes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDouble-sided design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecorative printed paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTextured printing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRounded edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSubtle Paperblanks branding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct code:\u003c\/strong\u003e PA9325-1 | \u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781439793251\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, bringing the same care and craftsmanship found in its celebrated journals to every accessory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paperblanks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54386156142920,"sku":"PA9325-1","price":4.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/5114\/5032\/files\/9781439793251_Front_HighRes.png?v=1792779184","url":"https:\/\/shop.penandpaper.co.uk\/products\/paperblanks-karakusa-bookmark-pa9325-1","provider":"The Pen and Paper Stationery Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}