Wagasa Wagara Washi Print: Dragons and Phoenixes (38” x 32.25”)

This is a Japanese woodblock print pattern (wagara) on traditional handmade paper (washi) intended for use as a traditional Japanese umbrella (wagasa) canopy. 
 
The paired dragon (ryuu) and phoenix (houou) motif symbolizes harmony, balance and good fortune. The dragon represents the emperor, strength, wisdom and good fortune. The phoenix represents the empress, elegance, and  virtue in times of peace and prosperity. Together, they are yang and yin.
 
Had this been used for its original purpose, the washi paper would have been oiled and dried and then hand-painted. We are not sure if these are souvenir prints, suspecting that the washi paper used for umbrellas would have been thicker than these, but we could be wrong.
 
Washi is primarily made from the fibers of the kozo, mitsumata, and gampi plants, but can also include fibers from bamboo, hemp, or rice. Despite its light weight, washi is stronger and more durable than typical wood pulp paper, making it ideal for applications requiring longevity.
 
We found these among our mother’s collection of handmade papers. We know she visited Japan in 1969 and do not recall her visiting again later in life, but we could be wrong. 
 
They are in good vintage condition, with no visible discoloring. There are some wrinkles in the paper but they should come out with little effort. There are also natural paper imperfections, such as a hole in one piece above the print and thin spots on another.
 
Note: This paper is very, very thin, the piece quite fragile. We would recommend framing sooner than later.
 
H 38” x L 32 1/4”
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.