Kyoto karakami

Karakami got its start in Kyoto, and the city remains the focal point of the craft. Paper-marking was originally brought to Yamashiro Province (now he southern part of Kyoto Prefecture) from China by guilds of craftspeople. It was first processed as ryoshi paper for poem writing during the Heian Period. Artisans adept in processing techniques such as paper-dyeing as well as creating patterns with gold and silver leaf, pigment, woodcutting, and more, supplied gorgeous and elegant ryoshi paper to the imperial court during the Heian dynasty.