Japanese Kimono

The notebooks in the Paperblanks collection are inspired by a model of a karaori costume from the 18th century Japanese, specifically designed for Noh theater. This kimono embodies Japanese aesthetics with its harmonious flowers, balanced colors, and remarkably precise details. The Kara-ori pattern, made of gold lacquered silk stripes, reflects the splendor of costumes from the Edo period (1615-1868), the height of Noh theater. During the Meiji era (1868-1912), Noh became internationalized, influencing artists such as William Butler Yeats and David Byrne of Talking Heads. Today, more than seventy Noh theaters remain in Japan, recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The design of the Paperblanks notebook, honoring the karaori costume displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago, thus becomes a tribute to this magnificent and culturally significant piece of history.

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