Emperor’s Palanquin

Artist or Author name :

Karen O'Hanlon

Category :

Kimono

Description of Object :

A gold-patterned paper kimono with royal purple lining. The design features popular motifs from the Edo period (1600-1869). The scene depicted showcases a Japanese emperor traveling in a palanquin while escorted by his guard and followed by members/ministers of the court.

Cultural Background/Genre

Favored by Japanese girls since the early 1500s, the art of washi ningyo (Japanese Paper Dolls) originated from anesama ningyo, which are flat paper dolls. The paper kimonos are designed by the students and teachers and inspired by Japanese traditions and cultures. Some of these influences include ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), and the theater arts in Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku.

Location Art was created :

Gold Canyon, Arizona

Technique and Materials :

These dolls were made with special Japanese paper and cotton. It can take up two to three hours to make a simple piece for these intricate dolls. Though their appearance closely resembles fabric, these kimonos are made from beautifully patterned paper created by Japanese master craft artisans. Paper kimonos are commonly made with washi papers such as Yuzen or Kozo. Washi papers are handmade from the inner bark of Mulberry, Mitsumata, and Gampi trees. O’Hanlon uses two types of Kozo paper: Chiyogami and Yuzen. Chiyogami paper is brightly colored with woodblock-printed patterns. Yuzen paper’s patterns are based on traditional silkscreen designs, closely imitating the silks of Japanese kimonos. See attached documents for more detailed information. Paper kimonos are made following the same process of an authentic cloth kimono. To create the paper kimonos, the artist first creates various sized templates for each pattern piece of the kimono. Each kimono consists of layering eleven templates of patterned paper. The artist has to cut, fold, glue, and layer the pattern paper precisely. Working with fragile paper requires delicate handling. For lining the kimono, the same steps are repeated.