rōsen 臘箋

A type of Chinese paper *karakami 唐紙. Decorated paper imported to Japan from China, and later produced in Japan as a paper, from the Heian period onward, on which to write poetry. Colored paper is placed over a printing block after a very light layer of wax is applied. When printed, the wax is absorbed by the paper on the upstanding areas of the block, darkening these areas to show the design. Sometimes, instead of using wax, the paper placed on the block is simply pressed from the back. This gives a glossy effect over the upstanding areas, very similar to that of wax.