Tengujo
Tengujo is a type of high-quality, thin, and strong Japanese tissue paper. It is renowned for its exceptional strength despite its delicate appearance and lightweight nature. Tengujo is crafted from the inner bark fibers of the kozo (mulberry) tree, carefully processed to create a paper that boasts a smooth, almost translucent quality.
Characteristics:
- Thinness: Tengujo paper is remarkably thin, often measuring only a few microns in thickness.
- Strength: Despite its thinness, Tengujo is incredibly strong and durable due to the long kozo fibers used in its production.
- Transparency: The paper possesses a high degree of translucency, allowing light to pass through easily.
- Smoothness: Tengujo has a smooth, even surface, ideal for various applications.
- Acid-Free: High-quality Tengujo is typically acid-free, ensuring its longevity and making it suitable for archival purposes.
Production:
The production of Tengujo is a labor-intensive process that involves:
- Harvesting Kozo: Harvesting the inner bark of the kozo tree.
- Cleaning and Preparing the Fibers: Boiling and cleaning the kozo fibers to remove impurities.
- Beating the Fibers: Beating the fibers to create a pulp.
- Sheet Formation: Forming the paper sheets using traditional papermaking techniques, often involving a suketa (a bamboo screen).
- Drying: Drying the sheets, usually on wooden boards.
Applications:
Tengujo paper is valued for a wide range of applications, including:
- Paper Conservation: Used for repairing and reinforcing damaged documents, books, and artwork.
- Printmaking: Employed in various printmaking techniques, such as chine-collé.
- Bookbinding: Utilized in bookbinding for endpapers, hinges, and other structural elements.
- Textile Reinforcement: Used to strengthen delicate fabrics.
- Crafts: Suitable for various craft projects, including origami, paper crafts, and lampshades.
- Medical Bandages: Due to its strength, thinness, and biocompatibility, it has historical applications in specialized medical bandages.