p.2
	Have you ever seen Firenze marbled paper? Left picture shows you examples of the marbled paper. They are made by absorbing color paint patterns on liquid surface with paper, which is basically similar method to Japanese "SUMINAGASHI" where Indian ink is used instead of color paint. The beautiful patterns on marbled paper are not the repetition of basic unit pattern. With a close look at them, you will realize each patterns have slightly different features. This is similar to that no two leaves on a tree have the same size and shape. These indicate profound character of the nature. These patterns on the marbled paper cannot easily reproduced by normal printing or computer graphics.
	At Giannini, these marbled papers are created in the workshop on the second floor, and sold at the shop on the first floor. Not only marbled paper itself but also finished goods utilizing them such as greeting cards and diaries bound beautifully etc. are displayed in the shop.    The taste and touch of these greeting cards are very different from mass printed products in Japan. As to handicraft, their feelings cannot be categorized same with handmade souvenirs sold at scenic places in Japan. My impression is that Giannini products are excluding unpleasant taste of mass production but serving us special cuisine like taste with reliable skill. In another expression for younger generations, they are as beautiful as Formula One machines, i.e.. handmade products that can be repeatedly produced many times to meet specific objectives.
You can see the inside of the shop by the right picture or digital movie on this homepage. In the shop of several tens square meters, many stationery goods are neatly placed on shelves and in showcases. It is not as prim as the stationery shop in Ginza avenue in Tokyo. Neither it resembles normal stationery shops in Japan where many kinds of mass produced goods are only sold. I think similar shop in Japan will be the shop of traditional handicraft "sensu", Japanese folding fan, in Kyoto.	Inside of the shop (click here for movie: 1 MB)
Right picture shows the outside view of Giannini. The shop is located in a two storied old long building. This picture was taken on Sunday, when in Italy shops are normally closed. So, lattice was set on the show window. But we could watch products in the show window, where charming goods such as frogs decorated with marbled pattern are exhibited. This interesting atmosphere attracts us to arrive here again.	Outside of the shop (click here for movie: 1 MB)
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