Washi

NAGOYA Eyes Magazine June/July '94 Issue

Along with kimonos and lacquer ware, "washi", or Japanese handmade paper has long been one of the more fascinating traditional crafts of Japan. Generally, washi conjures up quaint images of Japanese paper dolls or shoji sliding doors in a typical old-fashioned Japanese home, but washi has been used in a number of ways in Japan since before the Heian period.

As with many Japanese crafts, the actual techniques for creating washi were borrowed from China. Nowadays, most washi is machine-made, in a variety of forms and colors, but there are still a few craftsmen left who are engaged in making the traditional white washi paper. It is a very labor-intensive process that can only be carried out in extremely cold temperatures, so it often became the winter work for agricultural villages. The cold temperatures are important for various reasons. First, the raw fibers, bound together in strips, are laid out in the snow for one week to whiten naturally. They have to be turned over daily, and this can be quite a task, especially if fresh snow has fallen on top of them in any depth. Once the fibers have whitened, they are rinsed out in cold water. To remove any remaining trash, they are then hand-picked through by the women in the village. Throughout this whole process, they are left in very cold water. Apparently the cold temperature not only affects the quality of the final product, but it also prevents infestation by insects (which would occur if the process were carried out in the summer). Additionally, the glue used in the final paper making step is made from plant materials, and it is less-effective in warm temperatures. The final product of this labor-intensive process is extremely strong and durable, and there are documents produced on traditional washi that are in excellent condition despite being over 500 years old.

Washi was originally used in Japan in kites, umbrellas, shoji doors/ windows, and writing paper, but other uses, such as paper dolls and origami (Japanese paper folding art) were probably also common (although present-day origami paper is generally not washi). Surprisingly, it was also common to make clothes from washi as well, and some of these garments can be viewed in the Japanese Paper Art Work Gallery in Obara village (see below for details). Although paper may seem to be a strange choice of a material to use in weather-protecting items such as clothes or umbrellas, in fact, washi made in the traditional way far surpasses other types of paper in strength and durability. Once a protective coat of oil has been applied, the items could be used even in the rain with little worry of damage.

While it is very difficult to view the increasingly rare traditional washi-making, there are, fortunately, other avenues open to those who wish to enjoy an experience with washi. In Nagoya, for example, there is a store in Atsuta-ku is dedicated to washi-enthusiasts. Not only is the entire inventory composed of washi and other types of paper, but they also sponsor various classes, open to the public, in paper crafts (instruction in Japanese). It is an easy walking distance from the Tenmacho station on the Meijo line. Call Paper House, Kami no Ondo, at (052) 671-2110 for further information.

For an actual paper-making experience, however, Obara Paper Art Museum is the place to go. Obara was originally a traditional washi-making village, but they created a unique washi art-form after World War II in an effort to prevent the industry from dying out. Now Obara is famous for the various types of washi art produced there. For a small fee, visitors are allowed to make their own washi design to take home. To get there, take the Kaminigi bus from Toyota-shi and get off at "Washi no Furusato", or it is a fifteen kilometer drive from Nakayama Interchange at Sanage Green Road (see map below). Call (0565) 65-2953 or (0565) 65-2151 for further information.

One of the greatest parts of TAIKAN WONDERFUL NIPPON is to be able to experience and observe traditions and customs that most people don’t have the chance to experience, and my washi TAIKAN was no exception. Fortunately, Kami no Ondo and Obara Village make this experience available to anyone who is interested in washi, and I highly recommend a visit to both places. You certainly won’t regret a fascinating TAIKAN of washi!

Julie M. Yamamoto

9:30am-10:00am on Saturday Chukyo TV

Back to