The Art of Japanese Paper

Japanese art covers a wide range of styles and media, including ancient pottery, sculpture, ink painting and calligraphy on silk and paper, ukiyo-e paintings and woodblock prints, ceramics, origami, bonsai, and more recently manga and anime. One of the most important aspects of Japanese art is the use of paper.

History

The earliest form of "rock paper scissors"-style game originated in China and was subsequently imported into Japan, where it reached its modern standardized form. The name Roshambo or Rochambeau has been claimed to refer to Count Rochambeau, who allegedly played the game during the American Revolutionary War. It is unclear why this name became associated with the game, with hypotheses ranging from a slight phonetic similarity with the Japanese name jan-ken-pon, to the presence of a statue of Rochambeau in a neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Names

The modern game is known by several other names such as Rochambeau, roshambo, ro-sham-bo, Bato Bato Pik, Jak-en-poy and Quartz Parchment Shears. When the game's name is a list of three items, different countries often have the list in a different order.

• In North America and the United Kingdom, it is known as "rock, paper, scissors" or "scissors, paper, stone".
• In Australia, the most common name is "scissors, paper, rock" (the reverse of the American format).
• In New Zealand, the most common name in English is "paper, scissors, rock". In Māori, it is known as pēpa, kutikuti, kōhatu (lit. 'paper, scissors, rock').

Gameplay

The players may start by counting to three aloud, or by speaking the name of the game (e.g. "Rock! Paper! Scissors!"), raising one hand in a fist and swinging it down with each syllable onto their other hand. They then "throw" or "shoot" by extending their selected sign towards their opponent on what would have been the fourth count, often saying the word "shoot" while doing so.

Manila Paper

Manila paper (Spanish: 'Papel de Manila') is a relatively inexpensive type of paper, generally made through a less-refined process than other types of paper, and is typically made from semi-bleached wood fibers. The manila component of the name originates from manila hemp (a.k.a. abacá leaves), which was named after Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Manila paper has been shaped to create manila file folders and manila envelopes. It is just as strong as kraft paper but has better printing qualities, such as stronger pigment retention. Manila paper is buff-colored and the fibers of the paper are usually visible to the naked eye.

Artworks on Japanese Paper

WahooArt.com offers a wide range of artworks made with Japanese paper, including paintings by Krupa such as "In a single stroke" (View painting), "Dubovac Castle" (View painting), and "Almost art informel!" (View painting). These paintings showcase the unique texture and beauty of Japanese paper, making them a popular choice for art lovers around the world.

Conclusion

The art of Japanese paper is a rich and diverse field, with a long history and many different forms. From traditional ink painting to modern manga, Japanese paper has been used to create some of the world's most beautiful and iconic artworks. Whether you are an artist, a collector, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of paper, there is much to discover in the world of Japanese paper art.