The exceptional know-how of washi paper in Echizen (Fukui)
The"Know-how of Japanese Washi" is classified as intangible heritage of humanity in 2014 by UNESCO. The paper is a major element of Japanese culture, used both for calligraphy and drawing, but also for the manufacture of lanterns, fans, umbrellas, and especially in the interior architecture of traditional houses. Indeed, in what is called "Washitsu" in Japan, Japanese-style "Tatami" mats, paper covers sliding doors called "Fusuma" (using non-translucent thick grain paper) or "Shoji" (it is found rather in the rooms at bed and made with thin paper and wooden frames to hold). Thus, using paper to separate the pieces allowed the light to pass while keeping the privacy of a room.
Washitsu
There are, of course, many kinds of traditional paper of different qualities in Japan. In Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, one of the most sacred papers in Japan is hand-made, Washi. The craft of this paper dates back more than 1300 years, and still today, they continue to manufacture it according to ancestral methods.
Here, one of the craftsmen has even been designated national treasure for its exceptional know-how. Legend has it that a goddess called Kawakami Gozen, who appeared near this village a long time ago and out of pity for the inhabitants who could not live on farming, taught them the art of making Washi. While strolling in Echizen, do not miss the sumptuous Okamoto Otaki temples dedicated to him.
Here, one of the craftsmen has even been designated national treasure for its exceptional know-how. Legend has it that a goddess called Kawakami Gozen, who appeared near this village a long time ago and out of pity for the inhabitants who could not live on farming, taught them the art of making Washi. While strolling in Echizen, do not miss the sumptuous Okamoto Otaki temples dedicated to him.
View of Echizen from Mount Kameyama
Today, more than 500 people work to make it using the fibers of different materials like the mulberry called Kozo (practice since it grows very fast and constitutes an abundant resource), the Mitsumata (plant with three branches used originally in Chinese medicine), and Gampi (fiber harder to harvest but very resistant extracted from a wild plant).
Today, more than 500 people work to make it using the fibers of different materials like the mulberry called Kozo (practice since it grows very fast and constitutes an abundant resource), the Mitsumata (plant with three branches used originally in Chinese medicine), and Gampi (fiber harder to harvest but very resistant extracted from a wild plant).
Kozo, or Japanese mulberry, essential plant for the manufacture of Washi
All its natural resources are used in different ways in the manufacture of several types of Washi paper.
Examples include Torinoko paper used for fusuma, or Gasenshi for calligraphy and drawing. If you go to the east of the village of Echizen, go to Papyrus house and meet the craftsmen who will have the pleasure of sharing their knowledge and introducing you to manufacturing. Some types of Washi are so strong that even pulling on all of your strength will not give in, just as it is resistent -water (we use Washi for some traditional umbrellas), but also rays of the sun that only make it even whiter.
To simply explain how it is made, the shrubs barks are steamed and then dried (they look like long corn leaves). Then comes the delicate task of removing the unnecessary parts of the bark and scraping it off in the sun to get the whitish color. Then they are rinsed in water and boiled until small balls of fiber are beaten. The paper pulp is then obtained. By adding water, we obtain a paste that will be worked on a sieve before being dried. This process is actually a master work, the process of which follows the seasons and which requires a lot of patience.All its natural resources are used in different ways in the manufacture of several types of Washi paper.
Examples include Torinoko paper used for fusuma, or Gasenshi for calligraphy and drawing. If you go to the east of the village of Echizen, go to Papyrus house and meet the craftsmen who will have the pleasure of sharing their knowledge and introducing you to manufacturing. Some types of Washi are so strong that even pulling on all of your strength will not give in, just as it is resistent -water (we use Washi for some traditional umbrellas), but also rays of the sun that only make it even whiter.
After going to the papyrus house and the paper museum, stroll through the streets of Echizen and discover its typical neighborhoods with full of charm. This village was already known to great European artist, Rembrandt who used the paper of Echizen from 1647, especially for one of the famous portrait of his son Titus and other numerous works.If you go there in early May, you will attend the Kami festival dedicated to the goddess Washi paper, or for 3 days, the streets are lively and children play the scene of the arrival of the goddess in the village. The Shinto priests then scroll through the mikoshi (representing small temples inside which a relic embodies the Kami) in the neighborhoods of the city before driving it at the end of the day, at the top of the mountain, accompanied by lanterns and flaming torches.
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