Paper

Papermaking originated on the Asian mainland and spread to Japan by 1500 years ago. For centuries Japan has produced the greatest quantity and variety of handmade paper or washi in the world. Traditionally, papermaking was a family or community enterprise which thrived in mountain farming communities where cold, pure water and wild bast fibre shrubs, such as mulberry, are plentiful. Washi is an important cultural symbol and holds a place in nearly every aspect of Japanese life. It is also a significant aspect of both Shinto and Buddhist rites and customs. The kagabossho paper samples illustrate the results of purifying bast fibres by boiling with traditional ash, with soda ash and with caustic soda introduced in the second half of the 19th century. The sample made form unusual materials illustrate traditional hemp paper, replaced by mitsumata paper, and paper of materials other than the 3 main plants now used for handmade paper.

This is part of the Tesukiwashi Taikan, a collection of handmade paper published, in an edition of 1000 copies, in Tokyo as a project to commemorate the centennial of Mainchi Newspapers and to preserve Japanese handmade paper. A collection on this scale had not been made before. This collection consists of 5 boxes of mounted and labelled samples with an explanatory book in 4 of the boxes. The text is in Japanese and with less detail, in English. Compiled and edited by a special editorial staff of scholars. Published by the Mainchi Newspapers of Tokyo, Japan.

samples

Washi samples mounted on two off-white cards (b-c) labelled and interleaved with a protective tissue and covered with a card folder (a) with text on the inside cover. Part (b) has eight squares of paper made from unusual materials, ranging from off-white to light brown with one grey/green. Part (c) is labelled 'No. 5 Kagabosho' and is five squares of off-white to light white/brown paper.