Edo karakami covers decorated paper used for interiors, including fusuma. Tokyo’s craft reference describes more than one route to its patterned surface, so the name alone does not identify a single printing method.
Technique and structure
In the woodblock mica-printing method, mica or gofun is transferred onto a carved block; paper is placed over it and lightly rubbed by hand. Stencil rubbing instead works pigment or dye through a stencil laid on the paper. Sunago decoration uses a bamboo tube fitted with fine copper-wire mesh to scatter small pieces of metal leaf. The transfer surface, the stencil opening and the scattered material do different jobs. Calling all three a printed pattern conceals how that surface was made.
Ask about the surface operation
The reference distinguishes karakami, sarasa and sunago specialists. This offers a practical vocabulary for asking about a sheet without reproducing its motif or assuming every technique appears on every piece. The paper’s intended application should be checked separately.
For international readers
Ask the supplier which decorating technique and substrate were used. This craft description supplies no installation specification, fire classification or cleaning instruction.
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日本語
江戸からかみ：木版・型紙・砂子を読み分ける
江戸からかみは木版だけを指す名前ではありません。東京都の資料では、版木に雲母・胡粉を付けて紙を重ねる木版雲母摺り、型紙から顔料等を摺り込む方法、細かな金属箔を筒から撒く砂子を区別。文様を複製せず、紙の表面を作る道具と操作を説明します。