Stress seems to melt away when you gaze at this serene forest protecting the mitsumata blossoms below. While the flowering buds are beautiful in their natural state, the mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha) has so much more to offer. Originally brought from China to Japan by monks, the green plant is now a staple of Japanese papermaking and one of three principal ingredients in washi, traditional Japanese paper. No wonder, then, that it"s also known as the Oriental paperbush. Mitsumata washi is dense and holds ink well—it"s a favorite of artists and calligraphers—and sheets of mitsumata paper are also used in traditional shoji screens.
Mitsumata blossoms
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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An uncommonly cool critter
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World Otter Day
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Merry Christmas!
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Agüero, Huesca province, Spain
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Honoring those who served
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Impala in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
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Happy Boxing Day!
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Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, Australia
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National Park Week: Yosemite National Park, California
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Happy Mother s Day
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Endangered Species Day
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Porto, Portugal
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Here there be dragons
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Pont Alexandre III, Paris, France
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The Cathedral of Florence, Italy
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Come out of your shell for World Turtle Day
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Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta
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Bridges to the past
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Visiting Ahch-To on Star Wars Day
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The Hermitage of Santa Justa
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All eyes on moths
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Jamaica celebrates its independence
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Gray seal pup, Norfolk, England
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World Wildlife Day
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Welcome to El Cervantino
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Birds and bees, and why they re so important
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It s National Camera Day. Get the picture?
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Life carries on, rising from a ship s skeleton
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The glowing waters of the Matsu Islands
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What kind of bird laid these eggs?
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

