Jumonji Washi Paper

十文字和紙

Historical background

Jumonji washi was first started in the mid-Edo period (around the end of the 1700s) in Mutsugo, Jumonji-cho, Yokote City, and it was passed down from generation to generation since then. This practice peaked during the Meiji period, there were as many as 50 papermakers, even more than a dozen papermakers in the Taisho era (1912~1926). At that time, papermaking was considered a vocation, but now this special paper-making technique has been inherited, and papermaking is carried out during the agricultural off-season from December to March.

This kind of washi was produced in large amounts and available for almost everyone in the mid-Edo period, therefore it was used to make Kamikoromo (紙衣), a type of Kimono made out of Japanese Jumonji washi, also known as Kamiko. People with low-income usually wear them since it is less expensive than silk clothes, however Samurai also wear them due to their durability and convenience. Jumonji washi was teased together in a cross shape, coated with a layer of astringent persimmon juice, and let dry overnight to give it a strong texture. They were then stepped and rubbed by hands to soften it a bit before wearing.

earring made of Jumonji Washi paper

Characteristics

Jumonji washi is a type of paper made with special hand-made techniques and material known as mulberry, and this paper-making process is especially popular in paddy fields along the Omonogawa River in winter. The paper has a gentle touch, which allows it to bend into any shape when making Japanese paper lamps. All raw materials are produced in Yokote. Techniques that have been preserved for 200 years; all the procedures are done by hand methods.

Current activities

The Jumonji washi exhibition was held in Akita city, displaying more than 600 art work pieces made out of Jumonji washi including hats, Japanese traditional paper lamps, floor mats, etc. Besides the exhibition, there is also the Jumonji’s Washi Lovers’ Association created by a group of Jumonki washi craftsmen which is based in Yokote city. They offer a Jumonji washi postcard-making in Echizen, Jumonji Cho, Yokote city. Nowadays, Jumonji washi making is more like a hobby or artwork by craftsmen. With the complicated and time-consuming processes in making this type of paper, there is a decline in the production of Jumonji washi. Workshops were offered in previous years but declined, and they are nowhere to be found these days. However, there are still local shops that sell Jumonji washi or souvenirs made with it. One paper supply shop in Akita city, named 那波紙店（なばかみてん), sells unbleached rough leather papers, book covers and card covers made out of traditional Jumonji washi. Another artist in Yokote, Tomomi Izumida, has her own online shop, named izu-3 Handmade Accessories, selling different types of handmade jewelry incorporating traditional ingredients such as Jumonji washi. She also participates in regular pop-up art events in different cities around Japan to promote her artwork.