Washi (和紙) is a traditional Japanese paper technology which has been uniquely developed in Japan by learning the paper technology that originated in China.

The paper used nowadays as for notebooks, it`s called youshi meaning western paper and it was imported into Japan during the Meiji period. The development of the Washi paper was in a completely different direction than the western paper.

The materials used for Washi ? “kouzo”(paper mulberry - Broussonetia papyrifera), “mitsumata”(oriental paperbush - Edgeworthia chrysantha), “ganpi” (Japanese shrubs - Diplomorpha sikokiana)? are made from plants and compared with the materials used for t western paper (wood pulp with long fibers), the Japanese Washi has a distinctive feature by using long, thick intertwining fibers and resulting in a thin but strong paper.

Also, fine gaps between fibers create a beautiful, exquisite and smooth texture. The Japanese paper Washi is considered having warmth and being “alive”.

Four main features of Washi:

• Thin, but strong, resistant
• Very breathable
• Can be folded without significant damage
• Environmentally friendly

Making use of these characteristics, not found in western paper or Chinese paper (karakami), but being a record-keeping material in the lives of the Japanese people so far, Washi has been used as part of a material that makes up a residence.

It has also been used as parts of clothes and other belongings.

Let`s look at some specific examples.

The Japanese paper Washi is considered to last for more than 1000 years. The oldest Washi in Japan is a document that used the best technique (Mino Washi) and certified the family register at Sh?s?-in, Nara.

The superior nature of Washi has been recognized by foreigners since a Christian missionary used it to write a report to his country and used one of the Japanese rice paper (ganpishi).

Even more, the breathability feature and the thin but strong characteristic made Washi being used for shoji paper and byoubu ? butterfly folded screen.

Washi was exported overseas during the Meiji period.

To make good quality Washi, it has to be handmade. A lot of paper can be made with machines but only a small quantity by hand.

Looking back to the Meiji period, Washi could be used pay taxes by the powerful entities of that time and it had a very valuable contribution for taxes. To make high quality products to pass the inspection, it was needed to train more personal for the handmade technology.

The technology is consisting in lifting the sheet one by one by the craftsman. This would produce a paper with an interesting aspect, and a personal print and savor. As a result, it would be having a very different trait than the mass-produced paper.

However, 100 years ago in the Meiji period, there were 68000 units that took time and effort to produce Washi but nowadays, in 2000; the number decreased so much to around 400 units.

In 2014, Honno Paper from Gifu Prefecture, Ishishu Paper from Shimane Prefecture and Hosokawa Paper from Saitama prefecture were registered as Unesco`s cultural heritage.

As for our local Gunma Prefecture, there is only one rare source for Washi, in Kiryu City. This makes it very precious.

In the current days, when mass-production and mass-consumption have become mundane and natural, protecting and developing the Japanese paper Washi is fundamental and imperative. It may be said that it is our role, living in this contemporary period to let evolve Washi`s good and special qualities further for the future.