A Boro Wrapping Paper: Recycled Ledger Pages
early twentieth century
26" x 25 1/2", 66 cm x 64.5 cm
This is a square-shaped paper wrapper which has been created by gluing together recycled sheets of used mulberry paper which were taken from from handwritten accounting books or ledgers.
This paper referred to as a tatoushi was used to wrap kimono at a shop. There is evidence of this from the central "diamond" shape of creasing and wear which is slightly noticeable when viewed from a certain angle and can barely be seen on the lead photograph here.
The arbitrary construction of this tatoushi is subtle and beautiful. As can be discerned some of the fragments used to reinforce the back of the wrapping paper have pulled away from the base.
A wonderful, good-looking old tatoushi with lots of prominent hand writing on both sides.