our latest history article reports on designboom’s trip to the karacho workshop and details how ‘karakami’ is made and used today:

image © designboom

established in kyoto in 1624, karacho is japan’s only ‘karakami’ maker (woodblock-printed paper). still in operation today, the karacho workshop has been directed by members of the senda family for 12 generations, preserving a japanese tradition.

designboom history: karacho’s karakami (woodblock printed paper) image © designboom

the sendas are the custodians of 650 hand-carved wooden blocks, made over the centuries and they still use them to produce the karakami paper for which karacho is world famous.

designboom history: karacho’s karakami (woodblock printed paper) image © designboom

designboom history: karacho’s karakami (woodblock printed paper) image © designboom

designboom history: karacho’s karakami (woodblock-printed paper)