Japanese paper JIDAI MM 45 gsm 63,5 x 47 cm - White

Machine-Made Japanese Paper JIDAI MM 45 gsm (63.5 x 47 cm) – White
Jidai MM (machine-made) is a specially crafted Japanese washi paper that brings the finest qualities of traditional Eastern papermaking into a modern, practical format. This paper is designed for artists seeking the elegance, strength, and unique fiber structure of genuine Japanese paper, while requiring a stable and affordable solution for their everyday creative work.

Composition & Craftsmanship:

Jidai is produced on specialized machines that closely mimic ancient Japanese hand-layering techniques. This process ensures an even, stable distribution of fibers and optimal surface strength across the entire sheet.10% Thai Kozo (Mulberry fiber): Long and flexible natural fibers bind the sheet firmly together, giving it the legendary toughness and tear resistance characteristic of classic Japanese paper.
90% High-Quality Wood Pulp: Ensures uniform density, smoothness, and a clean, bright white tone (White) that brings out inks and print pigments with exceptional freshness and contrast.

Versatile Features:Optimal 45 gsm Weight: The paper is strong and dense enough to withstand mechanical handling, yet retains the lightweight, airy, and beautifully translucent texture typical of traditional washi.
Two Useful Surfaces: Like many traditional papers, it features one silk-smooth side (glazed)—perfect for detailed printing and fine lettering—and one matte, lightly textured side.
Acid-Free & Archival: Meeting high preservation standards, this paper does not become brittle or fade over time, ensuring your artwork remains vibrant for decades.

Main Applications:

Relief Printing & Fine Art Graphics: An excellent choice for linocut, woodblock, and various stencil techniques. Being thin and receptive, it takes printmaking ink effortlessly even without a hydraulic press (e.g., when rubbing manually with a baren or a wooden spoon).
Calligraphy & Shodo: Perfectly suited for practicing both Eastern ink painting (Sumi-e) and contemporary lettering. Ink absorbs evenly, resulting in clean, sharp outlines.
Collage, Mixed Media, & Restoration: Thanks to its exceptional combination of toughness and lightness, it is an ideal material for tearing, layering, collage work, and bookbinding.

Guidelines for Mokuhanga (Japanese Woodblock Printing):

When using this paper for mokuhanga, keep the following advantages and specific characteristics in mind:

Why it works (Advantages):Perfect Thickness (45 gsm): This is an ideal weight for mokuhanga. The paper is thin enough for the pigment to show through easily when rubbed by hand from the reverse side.
Smooth Surface: The glazed (smooth) side captures even the finest details and subtle wood grain textures from the block with great clarity.
Cost-Effective for Proofing: Being machine-made, its price per sheet is significantly lower than 100% handmade options. This makes it an outstanding choice for test prints (shokazuri) to check color registration and block alignment (kento
marks).
What to consider (Differences compared to 100% Kozo):Composition Mass (90% Pulp): Because the paper consists mostly of shorter pulp fibers and contains only 10% long Kozo fibers, it is mechanically more delicate when damp. Over-wetting or scrubbing too aggressively and repeatedly with a baren can cause the paper surface to pill ("go fuzzy") or tear.
Rubbing Technique: During printing, it is highly recommended to place a backing paper (such as thin greaseproof paper or baking sheet) between the baren and the back of the print to shield the damp Jidai paper from direct abrasion.
Absorbes Quickly: This paper tends to be quite absorbent. If you notice that your water-based watercolor paint or ink bleeds too heavily on the paper (creating blurry edges), you should prime the sheet lightly with a traditional gelatin and alum solution (dosa) before printing.

Technical Specifications:

Weight: 45 gsm (g/m²)
Dimensions: 63.5 x 47 cm
Color: White
Composition: 10% Kozo, 90% Pulp
Country of Origin: Japan


 

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