Tatōshi Envelopes for Shikishi: Protect Your Japanese Art Boards
- artsan
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 20
Protecting Your Shikishi with Tatōshi
Looking for the best way to protect your shikishi boards? A tatōshi is the traditional solution. Made from durable washi paper, these envelopes keep artworks safe from dust, scratches, and light damage. At Art San Gallery, we offer tatōshi crafted from Mino unryū washi — a cloud-textured paper that combines strength with elegance. Sized to fit the standard 24 × 27 cm (approx. 9.4 × 10.6 in) shikishi board, our tatōshi provide both practical storage and a touch of Japanese refinement.
Art San Gallery supplies shikishi boards and tatōshi envelopes directly to artists.
For technical details, availability, or a personalised quotation based on quantity, please contact: contact-artsan@artsangallery.com
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The Role of Tatōshi Envelopes
Tatōshi are protective wrappers traditionally made of washi. Most people know them from kimono storage, but over time, the same concept was adapted for art boards. A tatōshi for shikishi is both a practical solution and an aesthetic gesture: it protects the board from dust, scratches, and light exposure while also presenting the artwork with elegance.
Wrapping a shikishi in tatōshi is part of Japan’s culture of respect — care for the object is inseparable from appreciation of its beauty.
Historical Origins
The practice of wrapping precious objects in paper goes back to the Heian period, when documents, clothing, and artworks were stored in special folded sheets. By the Edo and Meiji periods, paper envelopes for kimono (tatōshi or bunko-gami) had become standard in textile shops. The idea naturally expanded to shikishi, which by then were central to calligraphy circles, painting schools, and gift-giving traditions.
Today, tatōshi for shikishi continue this lineage: simple, elegant protection shaped by centuries of craft.
The Tatōshi Offered at Art San Gallery
At Art San Gallery, we select tatōshi that balance tradition with modern needs. The one pictured above is crafted in collaboration with a traditional paper workshop in Mino, Japan — a region renowned for washi-making since the 8th century and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Specifications
Material: Unryū washi (cloud dragon paper)
Size: Fits standard shikishi boards — 24 × 27 cm (approx. 9.4 × 10.6 in)
Color: Light green with visible swirling fibers
Paper origin: Mino, Japan
Craftsmanship: Produced in collaboration with local artisans
Unryū washi, with its flowing fibers, is not only durable but also visually distinctive. Each envelope reflects the artistry of the papermaker, turning a practical cover into part of the art experience itself.
Why Tatōshi Matter for Collectors and Artists
For artists, a tatōshi ensures that newly completed works remain pristine until framing or exhibition. For collectors, it safeguards acquisitions while also presenting them with ceremony. Beyond protection, it represents an ethos: art deserves to be wrapped, preserved, and revealed with care.
If you have any question do not hesitate to contact us at contact-artsan@artsangallery.com.
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