In Watojikan we edit and produce japanese books using traditional materials such as washi (和紙, japanese paper), kinrandonsu (金襴緞子, woven decorated silk), donsu (緞子, silk damask) and yuzen (dyed silk). We make these books in a traditional way we call watoji (和綴じ, japanese style book binding).
There are two kinds of watoji:
Orihon, literally fold book. Its pages are pasted and folded into the book. When opened it has the form of an accordion. In Watojikan we print the contents of the book in washi paper and for the cover we use beautiful kinrandnsu or donsu.
Yotsumetoji, literally bound four times. This kind of book is, as its name implies, bound by a thread in four sections giving it a unique and special look.
We also make orihon stand albums, made with hard washi paper and kinrandonsu, an original way to preserve your memories.
Or you can make your own stand album in our special one hour session, here at Watojikan.
We also sell these items by separate:
Donsu and Kinrandonsu (緞子, 金襴緞子 woven silk).
Oriental brocade, kinrandonsu is woven with gold and silver threads. It’s richly decorated with beautiful designs.
Yuzen (友禅).
Dyed woven silk cloth with elegant designs
Washi (和紙).
Japanese paper elaborated with natural fibers from tree cortex. Is smother and stronger than ordinary paper that's why it has multiple uses: umbrellas, bags, was used for the ancient ukyo-e paintings, is used for Shodo or calligraphy, is also used to store kimono, etc.
Minami Shiga Otsu-shi Shiga ken 1-11-24.