Washi, traditional Japanese
paper isn't ordinary paper such as copy paper. Using
special raw materials is leading to great durability and
strength of "Washi". To start with, most of raw
materials for "Washi" is a tree native to Japan,
(it's scientific name : [Broussonetia kazinoki]
; "Kozo in Japanese word) Though there are three
kinds of raw materials for "Washi" , other
material is little used at present Japan. For example,
"Mitumata", a plant native to Japan is used for
only a bill in Japan. It is crucial that craftsmen use
only the inner barks that is long and strong fiber such
as linen, To the contrary, raw material of ordinary paper
is trunk of tree.
That is, the secret of its durability and strength is not
because it's handmade, but is because its raw materials
native to Japan have special attribute. Please note that
there are machine-made "Washi" and handmade
"Washi" at present Japan, machine-made "Washi"
have texture similar to handmade "Washi" by
progress of technology. Most of Washi producing in Japan
is machine-made "Washi" , but both are called
"Washi" at present Japan. Needless to say,
genuine "Washi" is handmade, and it is called
"Tesuki Wasi" to distinguish from machine-made
"Washi" in Japan. The uses of "Washi"
is various. [Folding Fans, a bill, business cards, post
cards etc] |
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