These tiny, fugitive-looking images, in which luminous fragments of nature pines bowing before a wind, the undulation of a flock of cranes were painted in colored inks on handmade paper by his collaborator Tawaraya Sotatsu and then written over by Koetsu, have acquired, for Japanese taste, the sort of cardinal importance that a fresco cycle or an altarpiece might have for ours.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | The Subtle Magic of Koetsu

All of the books, cards and paper are handmade using natural fibres such as flowers, sugar cane, banana leaves, cactus and coconut husk.

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Handmade from the tough bark of the Tara Wing-Celtis or Blue Sandalwood tree and rice straw, Xuan paper is known for its strong, smooth surface, its ability to absorb water and moisten ink, and fold repeatedly without breaking.

UNESCO: Culture