Incredible 1,300-Year-Old Japanese Technique: Handcrafting Contemporary Art Panels.

This video introduces the process of making a handcrafting contemporary art panels. The Origins and Evolution of Karakami: From Ancient Import to Traditional Masterpiece The term Karakami originally referred to paper imported from China. Just as other foreign goods brought into Japan were historically designated as karamono (literally "Tang items"), the name signifies "foreign paper," specifically denoting paper of Chinese origin. These unique papers were first imported during the era of the Kentoshi (Japanese envoys to Tang Dynasty China) and were eagerly utilized well before the development of native Japanese paper (washi). However, following the cessation of the Kentoshi missions during the Tempyo era, the suspension of direct imports prompted the domestic production of Japan’s own locally crafted Karakami. Over time, as aristocrats embraced this paper for writing poetry, composing waka, and copying sacred sutras, variants featuring elegant printed motifs began to emerge. Known as Mon-karakami (patterned Karakami), these exquisitely decorated sheets became the direct archetype for the Karakami used on sliding doors (fusuma) today. It is highly probable that after imports ceased, Japanese artisans initially produced Karakami as a luxury medium for fine arts and calligraphy. Later, as production capacities expanded, it successfully branched into architectural use for fusuma sliding panels. Interestingly, historical evidence suggests that Karakami was frequently used for translucent shoji screens even before it became a standard fixture on fusuma. Please enjoy watching the Japanese craftsmanship!!!! ▶Contact: contact@suigenkyo.com © 2026 Suigenkyo Ltd. All rights reserved. #process #craftsmanship #kyoto #craftsman #japan #japanese 【Chapter】 00:00 - Introduction 00:14 - Crafting the Traditional Dyes 03:21 - Applying Color to the Woodblock 04:55 - Transferring the Design onto the Paper 07:19 - Spraying Urushi Lacquer onto the Karakami Paper 11:13 - Transforming the Karakami into an Art Panel 13:48 - The Finished Masterpiece