A Couple Revives a Special Washi That Was Out of Production for 40 Years

Japan has renewed its banknotes for the first time in 20 years, incorporating anti-counterfeiting watermark technology inspired by techniques used to produce Echizen washi. Echizen City in Fukui Prefecture is renowned as "Japan's birthplace of banknotes" and is the country's largest washi producer. It is also home to a couple who revived a special type of Echizen washi that had been out of production for about 40 years.

"Echizen washi can be used for everything from wallpaper to business cards. The artisans here are determined to create any type of washi," explains Kyoko Yanase, the third-generation owner of Yanase Ryozo Paper Mill.

A Delicate, Labor-Intensive Process

The washi-making process involves preparing the raw materials, molding them into sheets, and drying them, with each step taking a day to complete. First, the white bark of oriental paperbush and paper mulberry plants is boiled until soft. Then, impurities and damaged bark are carefully removed by hand, and the fibers are beaten with a hammer. This forms the raw material for washi.

Water is added to this material and mixed. The mixture is spread onto a tool called a "keta," a wooden frame that is swayed in all directions to evenly spread the material to create a sheet. After squeezing and drying, any remaining impurities are removed by hand, completing the process. Although washi paper-making requires considerable stamina, as the papermaker needs to stand for long periods, it has traditionally been performed primarily by women.

*Marks made by dropping water intertwine with petal and leaf patterns on special "lace washi" paper.*

In Sync with the Water

Yanase spends eight hours a day using the keta to form the washi mixture into sheets. She calms her mind and "converses" with the water to adapt her movements to the condition of the mixture. "Even if you try to force it, the water won't listen," she explains.

Despite performing the same tasks daily, variations in climate, temperature, and the condition of the raw materials and water mean that no two batches are identical. Only an exceptionally skilled craftsman can produce 100 sheets of paper with uniform thickness, sheen, and strength. Yanase says, "It's incredibly fun when I manage to produce washi that meets my satisfaction."

Echizen washi is valued for its combination of strength and beauty. Even the thinnest paper, which is translucent when held up to light, is durable, flexible, and long-lasting. Its natural off-white color and unique texture give it a smooth, pleasant feel.

Reviving a Tradition

Yanase Ryozo Paper Mill is the only papermaker that offers a rare type of washi called "metal mold watermarked paper" (kanagata rakusuishi). This washi, also known as "lace washi," features patterns created by dropping water onto the paper using a metal mold. The water leaves scattered marks, resulting in unique patterns on each sheet.

Production of lace washi ceased around 1975 due to its labor-intensive and costly nature. However, about ten years ago, Kyoko Yanase discovered old molds in a storage shed. Together with her husband Yasuhiro, also an Echizen washi craftsperson, she revived the technique.

Since no metal mold artisans remained, Yasuhiro crafted new molds by hand through trial and error over three years. Today, Kyoko uses 14 types of molds made by her husband to create lace washi. She learned the required techniques from retired lace washi papermakers.

Washi Is Everywhere

"People who haven't heard of Echizen washi are starting to buy a few sheets, which has helped spread awareness," Kyoko says. The washi is often used for curtains, noren dividers, and other interior decors.

Amid the trend towards a paperless society, the Yanase couple has revived traditional techniques, adding new value to Echizen washi.

Washi is more ubiquitous than one might think, appearing in gift envelopes, sake labels, confectionery wrappings, wallpapers, tapestries, and even lighting. "Banknotes are also made from washi materials. There are many items you might not realize are made from washi. It's not something distant from our daily lives," Kyoko adds.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Maki Tanaka, The Sankei Shimbun