Beige Shippo Washi Paper Place Mats

This place mat is made of Tosa Washi paper and is decorated with a pattern called shippo. Shippo is a pattern in which parallel circles of the same size are overlaid one quarter on top of the other, resulting in a continuous combination of a diamond-like shape and a petal-like shape. It signifies peace, happiness, and prosperity of offspring in an endless chain of circles.

This washi paper has a double structure, and the washi paper with a white pattern on it is made by a technique called rakusui. Rakusui is a traditional technique to make a pattern on washi paper by dropping water. The technique of making a double-layered paper by applying another sheet of washi on the back of the rakusui paper is called sukiawase.

Washi paper does not dissolve when washed and does not tear easily, even if folded many times. This place mat can also be used repeatedly by washing it lightly by hand and drying it, and if it gets wrinkled, it can be ironed. When ironing, it is recommended to iron from the reverse side to avoid damaging the texture.

morisa

Morisa produces Tosa washi paper, using their rich ideas and sense of fun and beauty to match washi to the needs of the times while carrying on tradition. Morisa uses the expertise and creativity of its craftspeople in addition to its unique processing technology to produce one-of-a-kind products that could not have been realized by hand alone.

Tosa Washi Paper is Japanese paper made in Ino-cho, Kochi Prefecture, and around Tosa City. Together with Fukui Prefecture's Echizen Washi and Gifu Prefecture's Mino Washi, Tosa Washi is one of the three major types of Washi. Known for its gentle touch and warm texture, it was designated as a traditional craft in 1976 because of its fine quality.