Washi.

The Japanese paper

The production of paper came to Japan from China (just like the
binding) but soon the Japanese surpassed the Chinese and around the year
800 had no rivals in the world.

It is common to hear the expression 'rice paper' to refer to paper.

Japanese; however, this designation, applied as a generality to said
product, is false.

Three are the varieties of shrubs most used in the process of

manufacturing of Japanese paper. The Kozo, the Mitsumata, and the Gampi. From them
it obtains the fiber that, when treated carefully, makes it appreciated for
its delicacy, strength, and elasticity.

The final measurements of a traditional Japanese book are determined by

the size of the paper used for the text. The two most common measurements are
Hanshi and Mino.

The measurements of hanshi paper vary between 32.5 x 24cm. As the paper is
fold in half, the dimensions of the book will be approximately 16.5 x
23.5. Mino paper comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large.

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 The paste

Three types of glue are used: flour, starch, and 'old starch'.

The one made of flour, prepared with regular flour and water, is used for
common bindings. For quality work and restorations, one
use the wheat starch paste (basically flour from which the...
the proteins). Starch is softer and purer than flour.

The "old starch" is obtained by allowing the starch to mature in an environment

controlled for quite some time. The result is a very smooth paste
especially good for repairing tears or pages eaten by insects.
Nowadays, few bookbinders use this paste.

The paste has two drawbacks: it needs to be cooked and it doesn't last long.
time. Methylcellulose is mixed with cold water and lasts a long time but is more
smooth as the paste, for work that requires an adhesive
strong, it is mixed with a little bit of plastic glue.

Another option is to buy industrial paste, which is diluted with cold water and
it lasts a long time.

Flour paste

Mix one part of flour with four parts of water in a saucepan

non-stick. Let the mixture rest for a while until there are no lumps left.
cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. Continue
cooking it for 5 minutes or more (the longer it cooks, the better the quality). Cover it and cool it down.

placing the pot in cold water. If stored in the fridge, it will last 3 to 7 days.

Starch paste

Mix one part of starch with 5 or 6 parts of water in a saucepan

non-stick (if you just prepared the starch, use only 2 or 3 parts of
water). Cook it like flour paste (for 20 to 30 minutes for the best
quality).

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 Remove the starch from the flour

Mix water with the flour until you get a firm dough. Knead for 5-
10 min., adding water if necessary, until the dough has the consistency
from the earlobe, soft but not sticky (it's the kneading that makes the
proteins turn into gluten).

Submerge the ball in a bowl of water and knead with both hands to extract.
the starch. Occasionally strain the liquid and refill the bowl with water,
kneading again. Repeat until the dough has been reduced to a dough.
elastic and fluffy. Let the liquid rest and carefully remove the water
leaving the starch that has settled at the bottom.

You can prepare the paste directly or let the starch evaporate.
all the water and store the resulting dust indefinitely.

Thickness of the paste

Soft paste (like thick cream) for gluing paper and sticking
the strip of the title.
2. Medium (like mayonnaise) for the fabric.
Thick (like a sticky paste) to stick the corners, the guards
and the ribbons or strings.

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 Kadogire Corners

They are more decorative than functional. They are small rectangles of
the cloth or paper glued at the corners of the spine.

The size of the corners depends on the size and style of the book.
The hanshi size measures about 9mm at the head of the book and 15mm at the spine.
Mino 12mm in the head and 18mm in the spine.

As they block the circulation of air and can attract insects, nowadays they
tends to eliminate them.

Pull from the title Daisen

It is attached near the front or in the center of the front cover.

In the hanshi, the strip is 3cm wide and about two-thirds of the height of the
book

When it is glued to the front (not centered), 3mm are left at the head and
the forward.

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 Preparation of the fabric and the paper

Both the fabric (if it is not pre-prepared) and the paper for the covers are
they are usually prepared before use. The procedure, known as urauchi,
it consists of sticking a thin paper on the back of the fabric or paper to give it more
body and consistency.

To prepare the canvas, medium paste is used and for the soft paper

Preparation of the fabric

Cut the paper a little larger than the fabric and place it on top.
work surface with the back facing you. Spray it with water.
With a soft brush, stretch the fabric by removing all the wrinkles.
3. Aclimate the paper making sure to spread the paste
evenly across the surface.
4. Place a ruler or wood over the short side of the paper and lift it up.
turning the ruler a little to the right.

5. Holding the ruler by the middle, place the paper over the fabric.

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 6. Use a soft, dry brush to eliminate the air while trying not to
to form wrinkles.

Spread it out to dry.

Paper preparation

If the paper for the cover is thin or you think it will seep through the paste.
Prepare just like the fabric, but if it is thick enough, it is better.
to glue the cover paper and attach the reinforcement one.

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 Basic 4-hole binding Yotsume toji

Most Japanese books are bound with 4 (Chinese style) or 5.

holes (Korean style). Here we will see the Chinese style as it is the most commonly used.

We call this binding basic because it has some variations:

kangxi, hemp leaf, turtle shell, yamato… The only thing they differ in
these bindings are in the sewing.

Materials (for a hanshi size)

20 sheets of torinoko paper measuring 17 x 24 cm.

2 sheets of momigami measuring 20 x 15 cm.

1 strip of fine Japanese paper for the title.

2 twisted strips of paper.
Thread or cord for external sewing three and a half times the height of the
book
Paste.

Internal sewing

First, fold the sheets in half and press them.

2. Place the notebooks on the punching table with the non-.
folded towards you.
3. Mark the holes:

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4. Cut a strip of paper about 1 cm wide and 6 cm long and
enroll her

5. Sew the booklets with the strip of paper and tie a knot. Also
you can unroll the leftover paper and stick it.

6. Apply two glue dots in the center of the back of the paper.
cover, place the book on it well centered and mark with the
plead the outline.
7. Cut the ends and fold the turns inward.
8. Raise the book a little, glue the flaps, and drop it again.
book to stick. Do the same with the other cover and press.
9. Use the bone folder to mark a line at 9mm from the spine and draw the points.
of sewing:

10. Thread the thread and follow these steps:

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11. When you reach the initial hole, make a knot picking up the threads already
existing. Put the needle through the hole and pull out some more leaves.
down. Cut the thread leaving a small tail, glue it and insert it
again inside the book.
12. Finally, cut and paste the title strip.

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 Hemp leaf Asano-ha toji

The preparation of the book and the covers is exactly the same as the
binding with 4 holes, but more holes need to be made.

With this stitching, the corners of the spine are reinforced a lot, so they do not
you need to cover them with paper.

For the outer stitching, a thread 7 times the height of the

book. Two threads of different colors can also be used.

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11
 turtle shell kikkò toji

Another variation of the 4-hole binding. The procedure is the

same as for the other bindings until reaching the stitching.

On this occasion, a thread 5 times the height of the book is needed.

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 Yamato

In this binding, flat tapes or strips of Japanese paper are used in

thread place.

In Japan, this binding is used as a guest book at weddings and

other celebrations.

To sew with paper strips, you need to fold a strip 3 times, then it goes through
the holes, a flat knot is made and flattened with the hammer.

Materials

15 sheets of paper measuring 17 x 24 cm.

2 sheets of decorated paper 1.5cm larger on all sides than the

book
2 sheets for the covers of the same height as the book and 1 cm more
wide
2 strips of paper or fabric for the corners
1 strip of paper for the title
2 strips of rolled paper
2 ribbons of about 26cm.

Procedure

Sew the book as in the 4-hole binding.

2. Apply some paste to the seams and glue the border aligning it with
the back. Fold the excess centimeter at the front. The same with
the other side.
3. Place the paper or fabric at the corners and glue the guards.
4-hole binding
Make some grooves with the plow or a chisel to pass the strips.

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Put a little tape on the tip of the ribbon so it passes through more easily.

easily
Make a knot and cut the excess

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 From the Orihon accordion

Traditionally used for Buddhist sutras or for calligraphy albums and

painting.

It is very important that the paper is perfectly folded, so that it

You should use some tool to mark the folds. A good solution.
It is to cut a piece of wood whose length is double the width of the book and with the
ends cut at 45º. A ruler or a cardboard also works.

Materials:

25.7cm high torinoko paper

2 sheets of Japanese paper for the guards of the same height as the
text and one centimeter wider
2 cartons of 12 x 26
2 decorated Japanese papers for the covers 1.5 cm larger than
the cardboard on all its sides
1 strip of paper for the title 3cm wide and 2/3 of the height of
book

Procedure

Cut the height of the paper: 26cm.

Glue them by overlapping 3mm from the side of each paper.

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3. When they are all joined, roll up all the paper.
Using a piece of wood, a ruler, or cardboard, mark the folds at 22.8 cm.
Fold them and then fold each one in half.

Leave an extra 1cm on each side of the accordion.

5. Once the paper is folded, leave it in the press while you prepare the
appetizers.
Cut 2 cardboard pieces of 12 x 26 cm and 2 papers of 15 x 29 cm.
7. Place one of the cardboard pieces on the back of one of the papers.
Glue the centimeter and a half that is left all around and stick these.
flaps ensuring that the paper is well stretched.
8. Fold the extra centimeter from the width of the borders. Glue the
side of the cover that does not have a flap to the flap of the book.
9. Glue the flap of the cover and the other long end and stick it to the
lid

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 Daifoku Chò account book

This binding is not very common today. In the Edo period (17th century)
XVIII) was widely used for travel diaries, logbooks, and books of
accounts.

The leaves are also folded, but the fold is left on the longer side.
(foot) instead of at the front.

Materials

45 sheets of thick Japanese paper measuring 42 x 20 cm.

2 Japanese cartons cut to the same size as the text.
folded (21 x 10)
2 natural fiber cords

Procedure

1. Fold each sheet in half along the long side. Make 3 booklets of 15.
leaves
2. Fold each booklet in half along the short side. Press and cut.
3. Cut the cardboard to the same size as the folded text.
4. Put glue on the back and attach a cover aligning it well with
the text. Do the same with the other side.
5. Make the holes for the stitching 2 cm from the spine:

6. Thread a needle and sew one of the sides:

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7. Do the same with the other hole.
8. Take the ends of both seams and tie them tightly in the center of the
lomo

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 Hantori receipt book

Materials

30 sheets of thick Japanese paper measuring 46 x 28

2 Japanese cards the size of the folded text plus 1.5cm.
loin.
1 strip of Japanese cardboard of the same height as the text and the width of
notebook plus 2cm.
Natural fiber rope.

Procedure

Fold each paper in half along the long side.

2. Make 3 booklets of 10 sheets each and fold them in half.
the short side. Press.
Glue the strip of cardboard and stick it covering the spine of the booklet.
central.
Glue one of the cardboard covers at the 1.5cm excess and stick it.
on the spine of the first booklet. Do the same with the other cover.
5. Open the central booklet and with the punch make 2 holes:

Pass the thread through the hole so that the ends are on the outside.
Close the notebook and place it among the other notebooks.

6. Open the outer booklets in half and make the holes for
the sewing as in the drawing:

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Make the holes 3mm from the central fold.

7. Pass the thread through the holes and make a knot.

8. Close the booklets and tie a knot with the ends of the stitching.
exterior.

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 4-sided case

Japanese books are traditionally stored in cases. The basic one

it is the enclosing case that consists of three parts. This type of case has
some variations: the mirror case, in which the inner flap is lined with
white paper, the case with half flap (the inner flap measures half of that
the exterior), the 4-sided case, to which 2 flaps are added at the head and
foot and the box-case in which the sides form a box.

The dimensions of the cases depend on the measurements of the book or books.
that are going to be stored. Since the book suffers if the case is bigger or larger.
small, the measurements are very important.

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Materials:

Canvas
Cardboard No. 16
Torinoko paper for the interior
2 Japanese bone brooches
A strip of paper for the title

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Procedure:

1. Before cutting the cardboard, make sure that the fiber is vertical and
that the cardboard is squared.
Cut six cardboard pieces the height of the book plus the thickness of two.
cartons (17.4cm.) by the following widths:

Six millimeters

The width of the book (12cm.)

The width of the book plus the thickness of a cardboard (12.2 cm.)

The width of the book plus the thickness of two cardboard pieces (12.4 cm.)

The thickness of the book at the front plus the thickness of 2 cardboard pieces.

The thickness of the book at the front plus the thickness of 3 cardboard pieces

Cut two pieces of paper the same height as the book and 3cm more than it.
width of the cardboard on the side for the hinges. (17.4 x 5cm.)

DRAWING

4. Place the boards on the table leaving 4mm between them. In order to
do not move when sticking the paper you can cut four strips of
4mm cardboard and place them between the cardboard sheets, separating them.

after attaching the hinges. So that they remain at the same height,
Put a ruler on the head and align the cartons.
Glue the paper strips and stick them at the joints of the cardboard.
6. Stick the narrower strip of cardboard (the easel) at the end of
wider cardboard.
Cut the fabric leaving 1.5 cm all around.
8. Glue and stick the boards centered and with the hinge paper and
the easel upside down, stuck to the canvas.
Cut the ends and glue the head and foot turns.
10. Turn the case around and tighten the easel. Stick the remaining turns.
and leave it with weight (watch out for the easel)

11. Now cut the cardboard for the flaps:

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 2 sheets the width of the center sheet minus the thickness of 2
cardboards (11.8cm.) plus the thickness of the book plus the thickness of 1

cardboard.
2 boxes of the same width as the previous ones cut in half
the height of the case.

12. Cut a piece of fabric leaving 1.5cm extra on both short sides.
and in one long and 2.5cm on one long side.

13. Glue the fabric and stick the cardboard leaving 4mm. between them. Cut the
Cut and fold the excess, except on the long side.

DRAWING

14. Attach the flaps at the top and bottom of the central cardboard flush.

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Cut two pieces of fabric the height of the case minus 1 cm for the thickness.
of the book plus 3cm. (16.4 x 5cm.) and two others the width of the case
minus 1cm. due to the thickness of the book plus 3cm. (11.2 x 5cm.)
16. Paste the strips of fabric at the joints of the cardboard by passing the
plegadera for the hinges.
17. Cut two strips of fabric, one measuring 2 x 20cm and the other 2.5 x 6cm.
18. Stack the strips and fold them in thirds lengthwise.
Cut the strips in half diagonally and we will have four strips.

20. Pass the long strips through the holes of the clasps in such a way that
the clasps point to each other
21. With the chisel, make two grooves on the edge of the trestle and 2.5 cm from the
foot and the head and insert the strips of the clips from the outside to the
interior so that the clasp is in the center of the side. Glue the
leftover from the strip.
22. Mark the position of the eyelet on the side (just where they are
brooches) and make the slots with the rod. Insert the small strips
putting a clasp and glue the excess.

Cut the five papers from the inside down by 5mm all around.
from each cardboard and stick them.

24. Finally, grab the title strip.

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