Having recently returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Japan and unpacked my purchases I have time to reflect on what I brought home.

Having said our farewells to everyone on our tour, my husband and I stayed a night in Tokyo and I just had time to skip from one paper supplier to another and gather a few special pieces to add to my collection.

Patterned washi paper, ranging from traditional designs to more contemporary patterns.  My choices will work well for book-making.  They are robust enough for exterior coverings (over box-board) but also lightweight enough for fly leaves.  About 90gsm I estimate.

This amazing sheet of plant fibre paper has flecks of gold leaf embedded here and there.  It’s very delicate and I have no plans for it but I couldn’t just walk past and leave it on the shelf!

These sheets, whilst looking quite plain, have a dense crinkly pattern across the surface.  Thicker than my other purchases, I’d estimate them at maybe 150gsm.

These stunning papers came in packs of 50, around 50gsm I’d say.  Can’t read a word on the packaging and no numbers I can identify.  They are embossed with delicate designs and some have tiny flecks of gold embedded.  Again, no plans for these but far too lovely to leave behind.

I’d like to have bought more but time was limited. shops were overheated and overcrowded and I had to think of transporting paper in hand luggage without damaging it, seeing as my suitcase was already packed, locked and ready to go.