Kozo

Description

A general term for Japanese lining papers made from the inner bark of mulberry trees, such as the Paper mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera. Kozo papers are often used for backing when Asian scrolls are relined.

Synonyms and Related Terms

kozo paper; paper mulberry; torinoko (at least 20% kozo); hosho (thick); moriki (delicate)

Kozo

Other Properties

Paper fiber type: non-woody/bast. Using transmitted light microscopy, fibers appear thick walled with varying width. A distinct cuticle layer is present on the outside of fibers. Dislocations and cross-markings are present, but faint. Appearance with Graff "C" stain: purple-red, ranging from light to dark. Average dimensions of fibers: length 10mm, width 30 μm. Common pulping method: prepared by retting and mechanical separation.

Kozo is an important paper fiber in traditional Japanese, Korean, and Chinese hand-papermaking. The plant requires little chemical intervention to create high quality fibers.

Additional Images

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  Kozo

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  Kozo fibers stained with Graff "C" Stain

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  Preparation of Kozo for papermaking

Authority

• Matt Roberts, Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: a Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1982

• Book and Paper Group, Paper Conservation Catalog, AIC, 1984, 1989

• The Dictionary of Paper, American Paper Institute, New York, Fourth Edition, 1980

• Bernard Toale, The Art of Papermaking, Davis Publications, Portland OR, 1983

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000