Washi Sokan is a compendium of over a thousand paper samples, with explanatory texts, in twelve volumes. Each volume is in its own slipcase, and the whole collection is in two boxes. With essays by the leading experts on washi (Japanese paper), and a description of each paper by the maker, the collection shows the range of high-quality papers made in Japan today. I worked on the English translation for many years, and am so glad to see it finding its way to libraries and special collections in the West.
Ordering is now easier, as Kinokuniya is now handling sales in their San Francisco office:
Mr. Satoshi Ito, San Francisco Sales Office
Kinokuniya Bookstores of America
1581 Webster St., San Francisco, CA 94115
phone 415-567-6787 fax 415-567-4109
satoshi_ito (at) kinokuniya.co.jp
http://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/03f/bwp/catalog/book/washisoukan/washisoukan.htm