English-Tateiwa Washi Paper

Beginning of “Tateiwa Washi”

Washi is a type of paper crafted using traditional Japanese methods.
Known for its strength, it excels not only as a practical paper but also as a fine art medium.

It all started approximately 300 years ago when, during a time of poverty, people began making washi paper as a side job during the off-season.
At its peak, there were more than 60 households involved, but it has since declined, leading to the construction of a washi paper facility.

Tateiwa-Washi paper involves manual processes from ‘boiling’ the raw material, to ‘making,’ and then ‘drying,’ taking at least a week to complete. Moreover, papermaking requires cold water in winter to properly set the paper and achieve high quality.

Papermaking is a whole-body endeavor, as delicate adjustments can significantly impact the final product. Therefore, there is no room for relaxation once the work begins until it is completed. The demand for both finesse and speed is essential to create a uniform and consistent washi paper.
This is why “Tateiwa Washi” is often described as ‘high-quality.’