toushi　唐紙

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

A type of Chinese paper imported and used in Japan for painting and calligraphy and as backing paper, urazuke 裏付 for mounting and binding. See *karakami 唐紙. Approx 132cm x 162cm, Toushi is made from mulberry and bamboo fibres mixed with caustic soda, which creates a rough surface, and a light brown color. The use of bamboo fibres weakens the paper because it resists bonding, but two types of bamboo, keichiku 桂竹 and mousouchiku 孟宗竹 (Phyllostachys pubescens; a thick stemmed bamboo,) were commonly used. Toushi was valued for its low water absorbency which made it suitable for calligraphy without applying glaze douza 礬水. A Japanese version of the paper, also known as toushi, or watoushi 和唐紙, was used for calligraphy. Taiwan toushi 台湾唐紙 and ryuukyuu toushi 琉球唐紙 (from Taiwan and Okinawa respectively) also exist, but Chinese toushi is considered to be of the highest quality. According to *Shousouin 正倉院 records, toushi was used as early as the Nara period for copying Buddhist sutras. GENJI MONOGATARI 源氏物語 (The Tale of Genji) and other Heian period documents claim that members of high society used toushi that was dyed various colors such as yellow, purple or pale blue. A large quantity and variety of toushi was imported from China until the beginning of the 19c when the number of boats coming to Japan was temporarily reduced and production of Japanese toushi rapidly increased, especially in the Edo region. Although toushi was very widely used up to the end of Edo period, *gasenshi 画仙紙 is more commonly used today. The most usual type of toushi, called ichiban toushi 一番唐紙, is considered to be of relatively low quality, but it highlights differences between pale and strong shades of ink. This makes it very suitable for calligraphy or paintings using pale shades. Niban toushi 二番唐紙 is a higher quality paper with a smooth surface and low ink absorbency, and so very easy to use. It is an excellent paper for writing, drawing, painting and calligraphy practice. Sanban toushi 三番唐紙 is a Japanese made toushi, and is a thick, rough surfaced paper similar to ichiban toushi.

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