Is there a special type of paper famous to the country where you come from? Japan is home to a special type of paper, washi. It has been manufactured for hundreds of years using traditional methods. Comparing to other types of paper, washi is sturdier and lasts longer than usual paper. So, are you ready to try washi craft experience? Let’s check this out!

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What you will find on this page:

About Washi

What is Washi

ozuwashi6_20160603 Washi (和紙) is traditional Japanese paper made using the fibers of various plants. It is admired internationally for its strength and look, and has for centuries been used for multiple purposes including writing on, wrapping gifts and the manufacture of shoji screens. Washi making is a popular cultural activity in Japan, with many areas across the country being famous for the paper. While instruction is usually in Japanese, the steps involved are relatively easy to follow.

Famous regions for washi include Kochi (Tosa Washi), Fukui (Echizen Washi), Gifu (Mino Washi), Shimane (Sekishu Washi), Tottori (Inshu Washi), Kyoto (Kurotani Washi) and Tokushima (Awa Washi) among others. Experiences are often offered at folk museums or individual washi workshops in areas famous for washi.

©Japan-guide

Washi Making Process

① Mowing: Take the raw materials.
② Steam: Cut to a certain length and steam in a steaming pot.
③ Peeling: Peel the raw material. The peeled skin is called black skin.
④ Scratch the black skin (epidermis): The black part of the black skin that has been softened by soaking in water is scraped off to make the white skin. * There is also a manufacturing method that intentionally leaves cuticles (blue skin).
⑤ Boil (simmer): Add alkali such as lye or soda ash and simmer to soften the skin.
⑥ Remove dust (dustpan): Perseverely remove impurities (dust) by hand. * When a large amount of raw materials are used, a machine called a flat screen is used.
⑦ Hit (beat): Hit the net-like skin with a stick to loosen the fibers. This is the raw material for Japanese paper. * Some craftsmen do it manually, but in recent years it has become more common to do it with a machine called a punching machine.
⑧ Paper making: Put the ingredients, water, and neri (a viscous liquid that prevents the fibers from sinking and disperse them) in a drainboard, scoop them with a drainboard, shake them vertically and horizontally, and strain them one by one.
⑨ Squeeze (squeeze): Slowly squeeze out the strained paper with a squeezer. (The figure is a balance type squeezing)
⑩ Dry: Peel off the dehydrated wet paper one by one, put it on a wooden board, and dry it in the sun. You can also put it on a hot iron plate and dry it.
⑪ Product: The finished paper is cut according to the specified dimensions to make a product that suits your needs.

©tesukiwashi.jp

Washi Paper Crafting

***Process might be different depends on the option you choose.

Washi paper making workshop fee is around 1500 - 3000 yen per person. Depends on the store, they have a different price and option, please ask the detail first. Reservation is required.

This workshop duration is about 60 minutes.

This workshop usually held inside the store or studio.

Group arrangement is available. Depends on the cities, the capacity is around 20-150 pax. If you need more information, kindly contact us.

Take some photos during the workshop or while the shopping time at the store. It will become memorable stuff for your social media needs.

Note: some stores prohibit taking pictures, kindly ask first.

Due to Covid 19 conditions, some stores will cut the occupancy of the workshop. Make sure you have enough time for doing this workshop (especially for a big group).