Koyori  (twisted paper thread)

Koyori is a Japanese word for twisted paper threads or strings.  I made my koyori from printed handmade paper or old book pages.  Sliced thin strips of paper are used and twisted to make koyori.The paper threads are embedded between the thin abaca handmade paper and then printed from my etching plates.  The paper is translucent and this allows people to see the color and texture of each koyori between the layers.  In ancient Japan Koyori was made and used in daily life.  People used it for tying hair, making baskets or weaving paper threads (shifu) for kimono.  Koyori was also used for binding books.