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Washi in History
Washi in History
Unique for its strong natural fibers and its painstaking production techniques, which have been passed down from one generation to the next, washi stands out as a nexus of tradition and innovation. Its continuing, and ever-evolving, importance as an artistic medium is due primarily to the ingenuity of Japanese contemporary artists, who have pushed washi beyond its historic uses to create highly textured two-dimensional works, expressive sculptures, and dramatic installations. Washi, which translates to “Japanese paper,” has been integral to Japanese culture for over a thousand years, and the strength, translucency, and malleability of this one of-a-kind paper have made it extraordinarily versatile as well as ubiquitous. Historically, washi has been used as a base for Japanese calligraphy, painting, and printmaking; but when oiled, lacquered, or otherwise altered, it has other fascinating applications in architecture, religious ritual, fashion, and art.
Making Paper in 1804, by Katsushika Hokusai
The Nihon Shoki, also known as The Chronicles of Japan, one of the oldest books on classical Japanese history (written in 720), claims that the Chinese techniques were brought to the country via the Korean Buddhist priest, Doncho, who helpfully introduced techniques for making ink at the same time. For more than a thousand years, washi has claimed an important place in Japanese culture, and the methods used to produce this beautiful, yet utilitarian, paper remain essentially unaltered.
Page from a copy of the Nihon Shoki, early Heian period (c. 9th century)
Washi was typically produced by farmers in winter, as an alternate source of income; the cold weather had the added benefit of keeping the fibers fresh, as well as shrinking the pulp, resulting in a stronger paper. This inherent durability has historically made washi an ideal resource for such fixtures of Japanese culture as sliding screens, room dividers, and lanterns, as well as a host of everyday objects including fans, furniture, bowls, tape, umbrellas, and kites.
By the late 1800s, there were in Japan more than 80,000 families making paper by hand. Then, with the introduction from Europe of mechanized papermaking technology, and as things "Western" became sought after including curtains (not shoji) and French printmaking papers (not kozo), production declined, until by 1983 only 479 papermaking families were left. Today the few remaining families struggle to compete in the world market with handmade papers from India, Thailand and Nepal, where a lower cost of living makes it possible to produce papers more cheaply. In 2014 washi was registered as an UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to honor and celebrate the enduring importance of the papermaking tradition in Japanese culture.
Washi Today
Washi Today
Challenges faced by traditional washi makers
Challenges faced by traditional washi makers
The shortage of craftspeople to make the su, or screen on which the paper is formed. This is a craft demanding great focus and skill to cut and weave the needle-thin bamboo, or match the diameter of reeds one-to-the-other.
A workforce, as the children of papermaking families choose paths that have a more secure future and higher salary, without the labor-intensive requirements of papermaking.
A shortage of quality kozo, mitsumata and gampi fibres: considered by many to be the most serious challenge today. Kozo fibres from other countries, though available, are grown in quite different conditions. Natural oil spots appear as blemishes in papers made from Thai kozo, as have fibre knots in papers made from unpruned branches of imported kozo. Japanese gampi, which cannot be cultivated and is harvested in the wild, is increasingly difficult to procure.
From its peak of 80,000 families engaged in making washi in the late 1800s, the ongoing production by the 100 or so remaining families and studios (2020) is very impressive.
A short video showing washi production today.
Where Washi is Still Made
Where Washi is Still Made
Three major areas for traditional washi production are Hamada City, Shimane prefecture, Mino City, Gifu prefecture, and Ogawa-town/Higashi-chichibu Village, Saitama prefecture. However, washi is still made in many other parts of the Japan.
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