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Last updated 13/9/2025

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'Ehon Tokiwagusa' (Picture Book of the Evergreens) by Nishikawa Sukenobu was published in 3 volumes in 1731. It contains several prints showing kimonos patterned with paper cranes as well as various other kinds of paperfolds.

You can access a complete copy online here: Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3

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From Volume 1

The woman kneeling in the centre is wearing a Paper Crane patterned kimono.

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From Volume 2

This print shows a Basic Packet lying on the floor. It appears to be part of a sewing kit.

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The kimono of the woman on the left is patterned with sake bottles to which folded paper butterflies have been attached.

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From Volume 3

Both these prints show documents folded into pentagonal knots. In the first print the woman on the right is holding one in her hand. In the second print a similar folded document is lying on the floor.

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This print shows a Basic Packet lying on the floor.

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This print shows what appears to be a noshi attached to a box in the upper part of the right hand panel.

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In this print the child on the right is wearing a kimono patterned with Paper Cranes.

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As is the child in the centre in this print.

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