The "Engishiki," a legal code written during the Heian period, records that washi paper was presented to the imperial court from Inaba Province (formerly Inshu). Later, in the first half of the 17th century, washi paper was produced in Aoya Town, and then in the first half of the 18th century in Saji Village, as official paper for use by the feudal domain, marking the beginning of washi paper production in the area.
During the Edo period, washi (Japanese paper) production was encouraged with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency within the domain, particularly by supplying all the paper used for official domain affairs. In mountainous areas throughout Japan, where agricultural productivity was low, papermaking was actively carried out using paper mulberry and other plants that grew in the mountains and fields as the main raw materials.

• Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques

  1. Papermaking shall be carried out using the following techniques or methods:
  (1) Using the "flow-casting" method.
  (2) The mats used shall be made of bamboo or reeds.
  (3) For the "neri" (fermented paste), use tororo aoi (a type of okra).

  2. Drying shall be done by "board drying" or "iron plate drying".

   

  raw materials

  The main ingredients shall be paper mulberry, mitsumata, or ganpi.

   

• Work scene

  Work scene

  Process 1: Raw materials

  The raw materials, Mitsumata, Kozo, and Ganpi, are soaked in water to soften them. Next, the black outer layer on the surface is carefully removed by gently stroking it with a knife.

  Step 2: Boil

  The raw materials are soaked in water again to soften the fibers, then bamboo, straw, hemp, etc. are added, and an alkaline chemical is added before the mixture is steamed in a pot.

  

  Step 3: Wash with water and bleach.

  The boiled raw materials are immersed in a clear stream for a rough rinse to remove non-fibrous parts and any remaining chemicals. Then, bleach is added to make the raw materials even whiter, and they are rinsed with water for a long time to remove any remaining bleach. After that, any dirt, unbleached parts, or damaged areas are carefully removed by hand.

  

  Step 4: Tap

  The raw fibers are beaten and loosened, and then cut to the required length and size. If colored paper is to be made, dye is added at this stage, and the paper is heated to achieve the desired color.

  Step 5: Papermaking

  Depending on the desired paper quality, various raw materials are mixed together to create the liquid that forms the base for papermaking. Mucus extracted from the roots of the "tororo aoi" plant is added to this liquid. The resulting liquid is then scooped up using a "sugeta" (a type of wooden scoop), and the fibers are intertwined while shaking the container to ensure uniform thickness throughout the paper. This process is repeated many times until paper of the desired thickness is produced.

  

  Step 6: Dehydration

  The resulting paper is called "wet paper." Hundreds of these wet papers are stacked together and then put into a compressor to remove all the moisture.

  工程7： 乾燥

  Carefully peel each sheet of wet paper from the dewatered paper bed, and use a brush to attach it to the dryer to dry, taking care not to create wrinkles.

  

  Step 8: Cutting

  The dried paper is inspected for defects such as holes or debris, and then sorted into predetermined quantities. Finally, it is cut to the appropriate dimensions according to the type of paper, such as calligraphy paper or calligraphy paper.

   

• Close-up

  Close-up

  INSHU Washi (Papers) A thousand years of history and simple warmth.

  INSHU Washi (Papers) nurtured by the green of the mountains, the blue of the sea, and the clear waters of the rivers, boasts a thousand-year history. Each generation of artisans has handcrafted this simple paper from the bark of trees such as mitsumata and kozo, evoking the soft skin of a mountain maiden.

   

  The pride of craftsmen who have preserved a long history and tradition.

  Hisashi Maeda, a traditional craftsman born in 1931, is so energetic and positive that you wouldn't guess his age at all. Mr. Maeda sang a papermaking song that has been passed down through generations since the Edo period.
  "The handmade paper from Inaba in Inshu is supplied to the lord. Handmade Inaba paper is supplied to the lord and is permitted to bear the butterfly crest. People start making paper at seven or eight years old, and they don't yet know how to properly mix the glue. The sound of papermaking is consistent, the red sashes are also well-matched, the paper is made by hand, the hands make the paper with a song, the song is the spirit of the papermaker." After finishing the song, Maeda-san said with a mischievous smile, "How was it? It's a good song, isn't it? And my voice is good too, right?"
  "The paper from Inshu has a long history, appearing in records dating back over a thousand years. Blessed with abundant clear streams flowing from the deep mountains and natural mitsumata and kozo plants, Inaba paper flourished year after year, and it is said that during the Keicho era, it was even exported overseas through the red seal ship trade."
  "Furthermore, in the early modern period, in 1628, a traveling monk from Mino Province, who was traveling around the country, fell ill here. The pure and loving villagers of this land provided him with attentive care, and he recovered completely. In gratitude, the monk taught them a new papermaking technique before departing," Maeda explained, sharing the tradition and history of INSHU Washi (Papers).

  

  Hisashi Maeda's unwavering determination to remain active throughout his life is truly impressive.

  "Not only is it traditional, but the quality is also the best in Japan."

  The high quality of INSHU Washi (Papers) is also a source of pride for Mr. Maeda. Its long tradition is proof of this, but the calligraphy paper in particular is highly regarded for its fine texture and smooth brushstrokes, earning it the nickname "INSHU Washi (Papers) never breaks the brush." This is due to the high quality of the raw materials such as mitsumata and kozo, and the meticulous and careful papermaking process, which produces a rustic charm that is impossible with pulp paper.
  Furthermore, during the war, INSHU Washi (Papers) was also used for "balloon bombs" (balloon-shaped bombs about 10 meters in diameter made by the Japanese army), and Mr. Maeda told me that he made them as part of his student mobilization efforts.

  

  Maeda's work makes full use of the natural material of the paper mulberry.

  It is the craftsman's mission not only to adhere to tradition but also to challenge themselves with new things.

  Maeda's dream is, surprisingly, "to hold a solo exhibition in Paris or New York." "I absolutely love researching and developing new products. I even invented our papermaking machine, and my dream is to appeal to the world with new works that haven't been seen by the public yet. To do that, I'd really like to hold a solo exhibition abroad," Maeda said, his eyes sparkling.
  "There are so many things that need to be done that I don't have time to get old. It's true that the demand for washi paper has fallen, but I've never been pessimistic. Of course, many of my fellow craftsmen have gone out of business, but I'm still going strong," he said, pointing to two calligraphic scrolls hanging in the most prominent place at the entrance. The scrolls were written by the head priest of a local temple and read "Beginner's Mind for Life" and "Active for Life."

  

  Calligraphy scrolls bearing the inscriptions "Beginner's spirit for life" and "Active for life."

  Anecdotes

  This document includes materials that explain the traditional techniques of INSHU Washi (Papers) making using old illustrations.

  karu (to cut)
  Steam
  peel
  boil
  bleaching
  To hit
  straining
  Dry