The Wonderful World of Washi Tape

Hello there! I know that a lot of you are smitten by Japanese masking tape. Also known as "washi tape", it's named after the strong yet thin washi paper it is made of.

The designs are irresistible and offer a lot of versatility in its application. Just seeing them on display already brings joy!

I was practically doing cartwheels when I heard of this washi tape event at Anthropologie.

It was cool to learn its history: 

Since long ago, paper masking tape has been used industrially in all kinds of ways. Kamoi Kakoshi in Japan has been making specialty paper adhesives for almost 100 years. In 2006, the company received an email from 3 women in Tokyo who were using their industrial tapes in beautiful craft projects. Amazed by this surprising and wonderful usage, Kamoi Kakoshi invited the women to visit their factory. This visit inspired the development of an entirely new and original category of tape, MT brand washi tape, colorful tape which is easy to tear by hand and reposition on nearly any surface. MT washi masking tape is now sold throughout the world in hundreds of colors and patterns. MT has become a part of daily life, adding a little color everywhere.

Here is just a sampling of washi tape's many uses.

It can turn anything from blah to TADA!

The event was also a pop-up shop with washi tape for sale.

Plus a few special edition ones like this one of Central Park.

A new member of the family was also introduced: MT Casa. These are bigger sheets that can be used to decorate interiors. 

From large areas like stairs...

And walls, and even smaller surfaces like lamp shades and furniture. Just imagine the possibilities!

In case you're in the neighborhood, the event is called "Taped" and is on-going in three Manhattan branches of Anthropologie until the 26th.

Tomorrow, I'll share with you a craft we made using washi tape.