青幻舎 SEIGENSHA Art Publishing

Haibara opened its doors in the Nihonbashi district of Edo (now Tokyo) in 1806. From its heyday as a purveyor of fine washi paper in the nineteenth century through the turbulent years of Japan’s modernization and beyond, it has continued to add grace to everyday life through originally designed paper products tailored to the needs and tastes of each age. This richly illustrated book tells the 200-year story of Haibara and the renowned artists who contributed designs for its merchandise, among them Takehisa Yumeji, Shibata Zeshin, Kawase Hasui, and Kawanabe Kyosai. Showcased are some 200 products and items, including nearly fifty superlative examples of colorful woodblock-printed chiyogami paper.

Contents
Haibara in the Edo and Meiji Periods
Chiyogami
Washi and the Four Seasons: Tanzaku (Paper Strips) / Daishoreki (Calendars) / Uchiwa and Uchiwa-e
Pretty Little Paper Items to Give Away or Exchange: Illustrated Envelopes and Letter Paper / Noshi / Shugi-bukuro and Pochi-bukuro
Exchange with Painters
Essay
Artist Biographies
Chronology
List of Works

Haibara is a dealer of Japanese washi paper and decorative paper items founded in 1806 in the Nihonbashi district of Edo (now Tokyo). Its handcrafted paper products, designed in step with the times, have continued for over two centuries to serve people’s daily needs and enrich their communication with others.