Fukuro-toji means pouch binding in Japanese.
Fukurotoji is a traditional Japanese binding style. The pages were woodblock-printed only on one side, then folded them in half, and bounded pages together by a thread at the right side edge. In this section, we primarily focus on the books in the Edo Period (1603-1867). Social stability during the time had influenced Japanese society. It brought cultural growth in various fields as well as the book culture.
Check out a short video on the right side. Prof. Sasaki from Keio University explains Fukurotoji method. Source: Japanese culture through rare books. (n.d.). retrieved from https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/japanese-rare-books-culture/0/steps/17244 © Keio University
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Paper: Washi (和紙)
Japanese handmade paper, Washi is strong, absorbent, and long-lasting, making it suitable for applications going well beyond writing and drawing. Washi is most commonly made from one of three plants: kōzo (paper mulberry), mitsumata (oriental paperbush), and gampi.
During the Edo period, Paper-making became a popular income source for local government. As a result, a significant number of papers had produced during the time. The appearance of less quality and inexpensive papers led to the development of book publishing.
Japanese handmade paper, Washi is strong, absorbent, and long-lasting, making it suitable for applications going well beyond writing and drawing. Washi is most commonly made from one of three plants: kōzo (paper mulberry), mitsumata (oriental paperbush), and gampi.
During the Edo period, Paper-making became a popular income source for local government. As a result, a significant number of papers had produced during the time. The appearance of less quality and inexpensive papers led to the development of book publishing.
Making of Washi
Washi is a special type of Japanese paper made primarily from tree bark fibers. Watch now to learn more about Washi. |
Craftsmanship of traditional Japanese paper
In 2014, UNESCO added Japanese handmade paper to its list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. |
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Sewing
Typical numbers of outer sewing holes are four to six and the space between sewing holes is even.
Typical numbers of outer sewing holes are four to six and the space between sewing holes is even.
Cover
In fukurotoji books a slim, rectangular printed paper title slip is pasted onto the front cover. It is usually placed in the upper left .The covers consist of a core of pulped scrap paper enclosed within highly finished paper that is dyed and often decorated; printing, burnishing, stenciling, impressing with patterns. The colors of the book cover were subdued earlier in the Edo period. However, to differentiate the genres by the cover, popular fiction books started using more colors, such as red, black, blue, and yellow.
In fukurotoji books a slim, rectangular printed paper title slip is pasted onto the front cover. It is usually placed in the upper left .The covers consist of a core of pulped scrap paper enclosed within highly finished paper that is dyed and often decorated; printing, burnishing, stenciling, impressing with patterns. The colors of the book cover were subdued earlier in the Edo period. However, to differentiate the genres by the cover, popular fiction books started using more colors, such as red, black, blue, and yellow.
Woodblock artifact
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Traditional Japanese PrintmakingCheck out this eight-minute video that shows traditional Japanese woodblock print making. Keiji Shinohara, a master printmaker, provides insight into the effects of specialized Ukiyo-e techniques such as embossing, color gradation, and applying mica. This video is provided by Freer | Sackler The Smithsonian's Museums of Asian Art.
Source: Smithsonian's national museums of Asian art. (n.d). Traditional Japanese Printmaking. Retrieved from https://pulverer.si.edu/node/189 |
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Nansō Satomi Hakkenden
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"Yamato bunko" is from the personal collection of Kazuko Hioki, Head of Preservation at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
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Bibliography
Freer Sackler Library. (n.d.). The World of the Japanese Illustrated Books. http://pulverer.si.edu
Hioki, K. (2009). Characteristics of Japanese Block Printed Books in the Edo Period: 1603–1867. The Book and Paper Group Annual, 28, 23-29.
Munn, J. (2009). Side-stitched books of China, Korea and Japan in western collections. Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 32(1), 103–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/19455220802630792
"Nansō Satomi Hakkenden". (2020, January 19). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nans%C5%8D_Satomi_Hakkenden
Travis Taylor. (2011). The Oriental Papermaking Fibres, The Fiber Name. http://cultural-conservation.unimelb.edu.au/PapermakingFibres/index.html
楮(こうぞ)雁皮(がんぴ)三椏(みつまた)とは?和紙の原材料をご紹介!. (2020, March 1). Retrieved from https://botanica-media.jp/411
日本の木版印刷・木版画の歴史 -発展期を迎えた江戸時代. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.takezasa.co.jp/mokuhan/mokuhan02_2.html
Freer Sackler Library. (n.d.). The World of the Japanese Illustrated Books. http://pulverer.si.edu
Hioki, K. (2009). Characteristics of Japanese Block Printed Books in the Edo Period: 1603–1867. The Book and Paper Group Annual, 28, 23-29.
Munn, J. (2009). Side-stitched books of China, Korea and Japan in western collections. Journal of the Institute of Conservation, 32(1), 103–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/19455220802630792
"Nansō Satomi Hakkenden". (2020, January 19). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nans%C5%8D_Satomi_Hakkenden
Travis Taylor. (2011). The Oriental Papermaking Fibres, The Fiber Name. http://cultural-conservation.unimelb.edu.au/PapermakingFibres/index.html
楮(こうぞ)雁皮(がんぴ)三椏(みつまた)とは?和紙の原材料をご紹介!. (2020, March 1). Retrieved from https://botanica-media.jp/411
日本の木版印刷・木版画の歴史 -発展期を迎えた江戸時代. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.takezasa.co.jp/mokuhan/mokuhan02_2.html
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