Gosam

Language:

Korean

Local scripture:

고삼

Sophora flavescens Aiton © Flora of China

Identification

Fibre type	Bast fiber
Average fibre length
Average fibre width
Fibre ends
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases
Associated Cells
Special features	Looks like Broussonetia papyrifera but shorter fibers. Transparent membrane around the fibers.
Herzberg staining
Graff 'C' staining	Red-brown.

Botanical classification

Sophora flavescens Aiton

Order:

Fabales

Family:

Fabaceae

Synonyms:

Sophora angustifolia Siebold & Zucc.

Sophora flavescens angustifolia f. angustifolia (Siebold & Zucc.) Yakovlev

Sophora macrosperma DC.

Plant growing area

China (All provinces), India, Japan, Korea, Russia.

Grows on hill slopes, in farm fields; below 1500 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan.

Japan:

Chubu (Shizuoka prefecture), Shikoku (Tokushima prefecture).

Plant cultivation and use

Evergreen shrub 1 to 2m high. Slow growing. Flowering from June to August and fruiting from July to October.

The plant adapts to light sandy soils as well as to heavy clay soils, or to acidic or basic soils but requires well-drained soils. Does not grow in the shade.

The root and stem are used as medicinal plants in China and Japan. The kushenin (a flavonoid compound) is commonly used in various treatments of the digestive system and skin diseases.

The bark is resistant to insects.

Japan:

Used during the Nara period (710-794). Use stops during the Heian period (794-1185). The use is mentioned in the Engishiki which is a compendium of laws dated 927.
It is no longer used in Japan.

Vernacular names

Chinese

Ku Shen	苦参

Japanese

Kurara

Korean

Gosam	고삼

Paper names

In Asia and particularly in China, Korea and Japan, the papers are intended for a wide range of use: Papers for calligraphy and art, Papers for ceremonies, Paper as a medium of exchange, money paper, Papers for making clothes, wall hangings and bedding, Papers for architecture, interior design, Papers for crafts of various kinds, for domestic purposes and leisure. The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.

In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Papers

Japan

Kujinshi
Shuzenjigami	修善寺紙

Used part of the plant:

Bark

Use for paper making:

Fiber

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Gosam

Sophora flavescens Aiton

Papers