shifu – woven paper
the paper bag shown on my post “paper bags and spindles“
has a history
Jean Pierre, who sent this gift, left a comment on the post
the bag was made by 75 year old Kazuko Hirota, the wife of a Buddhist priest in Suzuka-shi, Mie-ken
the shifu was originally used in a Meiji period obi
at least 120 years old
it was used inside the obi and therefore is still in good condition
Hirota-san also made the butterfly pin
after careful examination under the linen count glass, I discovered that the warp threads are also paper
2 1/2 yards of fabric
the warp is cotton and linen (black)
the white weft is paper
paper towels woven several years ago for an exhibition
warp is a mix of cotton, linen and hemp
weft is paper
and a shawl woven for the same exhibition
the warp is a 2 ply blend of thick and thin ramie and paper produced in the Philippines
the weft is my handspun paper
the flower pin was woven on a Weavette loom with the ramie/paper yarn
and a casual obi woven on a handspun silk/hemp warp
dyed with madder
paper (shifu) weft
www.onesmallstitch.Wordpress.com u 
Speaking of kozo, the traditionally-made kozo paper is so strong that basketmakers can weave it, weavers can spin it and make shifu thread from it which can then be woven, sewers can stitch it, and jewellers can wet and shape it into small articulated shapes. (It is also regularly used by jewellers who lay their wares on it to entice buyers.) Furniture makers have used it to cover chests and tables, candle-holders and screens. One woodworker we know laminates it between glass for insertion in cupboard doors.
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Lazaro -indeed,it is an amazing natural fibre
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exquisite
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The pin is amazing. Is it wrapped or knotted/tied?
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Such wonderful paper weavings. I think you’ve given me the push to design a project for the paper yarn in my stash.
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I think that shawl was one of the first images that came up when I first started looking up shifu. … which is how i found you.
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jean, these are great, and such a good tale! the lokta i use for shifu is very fine, high quality and is formed on a sugeta in the japanese method NOT the nepalese. it is an entirely different paper than most! it’s very, very hard to source.
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Velma – I know the lokta you sent me was very nice the use. I will write down the description and see if I can find any.
Renee – such small threads that connect us through out the internet. so happy you found me.
Barb – did you cut and spin your thread? make something special – for yourself.
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Such lovely shift examples…it’s really hard to pick a favorite. I do really love the twill with black and blue, and the one with the madder: Nah, all of them! I need to try shift with higher quality paper. The lokta didn’t really do it for me.
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Kristin – the lokta paper Velma was different but the thread was good. I think she hand picks it very carefully – something I’m not able to do here.
Heather – I was absolutely thrilled with the bag and amazed that J.P. found it and knew how unique it is.
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Oh, my goodness, Jean. These are so exquisite. I will make sure J.-P. sees this post, he will be so impressed.
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I have just seen this post and am very, very impressed. Incredible craftship. I’ll show Mrs. Mandu, the source of the fibre used to make the little kozo bag, She’ll love your work.
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J.P. – thank you, please tell Mrs. Mandu how pleased I am with the bag,
Neki – the gift bag really inspired me to get back to shifu
Deb – mostly wrapped,it’s a lovely technique.
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