Paper was a handmade luxury in the Nara period. For special items, like Empress Kōmyō’s copies of Chinese model letters, colored papers (irogami) dyed in various hues, or papers with decorative elements in brushwork or stenciled patterns were chosen. The Shōsō-in holds pristine decorative paper stock as well as beautiful examples assembled into scrolls. Paper served as a lining inside boxes as well. See also Washi.