Washi

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The Sugiharagami (杉原紙), a kind of Washi

Washi (和紙) or Wagami is a type of paper made in Japan. Washi is commonly made using fibers from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia papyrifera), or the paper mulberry but also can be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat.

Washi is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp, and is used in many traditional arts. Origami, Shodo, Ukiyoe were all produced using washi. Washi was also used to make various everyday goods like clothes, interior goods, and toys as well as vestments for Shinto priests and statues of Buddha. It was even used to make wreaths that were given to winners in the 1998 Winter Paralympics. Washi was developed from the traditional Chinese paper-making process.

1 Manufacture
2 Applications
3 History
4 Types of Washi
5 People and Washi
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Manufacture

Washi is produced in a similar way to ordinary paper, but fewer chemicals are used. It involves a long and intricate process that is often undertaken in the cold weather of winter. It is traditionally the winter work of farmers.

[edit] Applications

Until the early 20th century, the Japanese used washi in applications where wood pulp paper or other materials would normally have been used. This is partly because washi was cheaper, but also because the unique characteristics of washi made it a better material. The different uses of washi are too numerous to mention, but include the following:

[edit] Art

Ikebana — the art of flower arrangement, also known as kadō
Katazome — a method of dyeing fabrics using a resist paste
Origami — the art of paper folding
Printmaking
Sculpture
Sewing
Shibori — several methods of dyeing cloth with a pattern
Shodo — the art of calligraphy
Ukiyo-e — a genre of woodblock prints

[edit] Clothing

[edit] Furniture

[edit] Objects

Bags
Bento box
Japanese banknotes
Plates
Scale models
Umbrellas

[edit] Events

[edit] Weaponry

Fire balloons

[edit] History

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[edit] Types of Washi

With enough processing, almost any grass or tree can be made into a washi. Gampi, mitsumata, and paper mulberry are three popular sources.

Ganpishi (雁皮紙) - In ancient times, it was called Hishi (斐紙). Ganpishi has a smooth, shiny surface and is used for books and crafts.

Kozogami (楮紙) - Kozogami is made from paper mulberry and it is the most widely made type of washi. It has a toughness closer to a cloth than ordinary paper and does not weaken significantly when treated to be water-resistant.

Mitsumatagami (三椏紙) - Mitsumatagami has an ivory colored, fine surface and is used for shodo as well as printing. It was used to print paper money in Meiji period.