Yamatsugi Paper is a papermaking studio for Echizen washi paper, and mainly produces fine art komagami paper. Fine art komagami paper is a general term for washi paper used for Japanese accessories, and includes papers with various patterns made using techniques unique to Echizen washi paper. Yamashita Hiroya, a sixth-generation traditional craftsman, has inherited the traditional techniques of the production area while creating an original new paper called “ukigami,” which is expanding the possibilities of Echizen washi paper.
A Japanese paper production area that has continued to evolve
Yamatsugi Paper Mill is located in the Imadate district of Echizen City. This is a major production area of Japanese paper, where Kawakami Gozen is said to have taught how to make paper about 1,500 years ago, and there are still about 30 workshops remaining. Yamatsugi Paper Mill is one of them, and is located close to the approach to the majestic Okamoto Shrine and Otaki Shrine, which enshrines Kawakami Gozen.
Various techniques developed in the region
Echizen washi paper, a production area with a history of 1,500 years, has continued to protect its traditions by innovating technology to suit the times. In the early Showa period, techniques such as “hooking”, in which paper fibers are “hooked” onto a metal mold to create a pattern, and “pouring”, in which paper material is poured into a mold to create a pattern, were invented, dramatically expanding the market for art and craft paper such as fine art paper.
Even in today’s world where paperless society is on the rise, art and craft paper has increased in value as “paper for manufacturing” through the development of new patterned papers and honing molding techniques.
Making high-quality washi paper using pulp
Since ancient times, the raw materials for washi paper have been plants such as kozo, mitsumata, and gampi, and only the white bark found just beneath the outer bark is used. This white part is called jinpi, and is characterized by its long, strong fibers. Yamatsugi Paper Factory uses not only bast but also pulp used in Western paper as a raw material. Pulp makes it easy to give paper thickness and is easy to process, which has led to a wide range of uses for washi paper.
“In our workshop, we ‘make up’ the paper by placing a thin layer of kozo, mitsumata, and gampi on top of the filtered pulp,” says Yamashita.
The challenge of being part of the effort to protect this unique production area
Yamatsugi Paper Factory was founded in 1868. When it first opened, it started out by producing plain handmade washi paper such as hosho paper, but gradually began to focus on producing art komagami. In the past, they also produced a lot of postcards, but as times changed and demand for postcards fell, they began receiving more orders for sake bottle label paper, and have been producing komagami that adapts to the changing times.
Switching to mass-produced handmade paper
In the production area, the traditional way was to dry each sheet of hand-made washi paper one by one. However, in today’s world where working styles have changed, it is also important to increase efficiency. “We are a ‘mass-producer of hand-made paper,'” says Yamashita, and Yamatsugi Paper Mill has installed a press that can continuously dry hand-made washi paper. “From the perspective of washi tradition, this may be considered unorthodox, but for that tradition to continue, the paper mill needs to survive. I think it is essential to make improvements to produce more high-quality paper while still sticking to hand-made paper.”
Developing new washi paper using traditional techniques
Yamatsugi Paper Mill is a family-run workshop run by Yamashita, his father, and employees, with Yamashita’s uncle currently serving as the representative. After graduating from a vocational school, Yamashita worked at a store specializing in washi crafts in Kyoto before returning to Yamatsugi Paper Mill 20 years ago. “By going outside once, I realized how amazing this production area is. And I felt strongly that we, the younger generation, need to continue to take on new challenges, rather than just relying on the traditions built by our great predecessors.”
The Birth of Ukigami
Yamashita, who wanted to create cutting-edge washi paper, noticed a family crest-like mark embossed on washi paper. He had the idea that if he embossed this repeatedly, he could create washi paper with a new design, so he tried it with his father and others. The paper that was embossed all over had a clearly uneven surface, and it looked like it was floating, so he named it “Ukigami (floating paper)”. Yamashita was convinced that this new washi paper would definitely attract attention.
The three-dimensional pattern creates a rich look
Traditional embossing is a technique that similarly presses a mold into paper to make a pattern stand out, but it inevitably results in rounded corners. However, with embossed paper, the pattern stands out at right angles, making it appear more three-dimensional. The unevenness of the pattern creates shadows, and the way it looks changes depending on the angle of the light is also an appealing feature.
Ukigami can also be dyed to your preferred color after it has been made. Although only one color can be used, the intensity of the color changes between the recessed and raised areas, resulting in a beautiful two-color finish.
Aiming to develop new products using new washi paper
Ukigami was featured in a sample book, but Yamashita felt that this alone was not enough. “As things stand, Ukigami will only be distributed in a limited number of countries. Ukigami has more potential, and I want more people to know about it,” said Yamashita, and he began to develop unique products for Yamashita Paper Mill using Ukigami.
Sample products of washi paper
In 2017, they developed a stylish tea canister wrapped in ukigami. The main purpose of this product was not to sell, but to show people the possibilities of ukigami. The tea canister was to show people that the underside of ukigami is flat and can be attached to various things, and the card case was to appeal that ukigami is durable and can be sewn on.
Participating in exhibitions proved successful
Next, in order to raise awareness of Ukigami, Yamashita began exhibiting tea cans at an exhibition in 2017, where craft manufacturers from all over the country gather. At first, he struggled to receive orders, but after exhibiting a second and third time, he gained connections with buyers, and in 2019, at the third exhibition, Yamatsugi Paper’s tea can won first place overall in a popularity vote by visitors. The Ukigami tea can was featured on the cover of the monthly magazine Fujingaho, and Yamashita says, “We became known as Yamatsugi for tea cans.” As the tea cans became popular, Yamatsugi Paper received more requests from manufacturers around the country, asking them to make Ukigami to match their products. “I was happy when my father, whom I respect, praised us for developing new business partners,” Yamashita says with a smile.
Increasing our strengths as a workshop
In 2021, Yamatsugi Paper’s ukigami paper was used on the packaging of Godiva, a luxury French chocolate brand. The pattern, which uses motifs such as the letter “G” for Godiva, was also designed by Yamatsugi Paper. The designer was Taniguchi Misaki. Taniguchi studied graphic design as a student, and after working at a design office in Fukui City, she joined Yamatsugi Paper in 2020. She is now learning papermaking in parallel with her design work. “Having an in-house craftsman-designer allows us to make better proposals to clients. It’s a big strength for us,” says Yamashita.
Washi paper opens up new possibilities in manufacturing
Yamatsugi Paper Mill’s Ukigami is a new type of washi paper created using the traditional technique of embossing. Yamashita is enthusiastic about updating the various techniques handed down in the production area to develop “washi that feels new for today’s age.”
He says that unique washi paper like Ukigami still has a lot of potential as a manufacturing material. “By developing original products and responding to various requests from clients, I want to make washi a common part of modern manufacturing.”
To achieve this dream, Yamashita says he wants to improve his communication and presentation skills with overseas companies, and this is sure to further increase the global reputation of Echizen Washi, which prides itself on being a “cutting-edge washi paper mill.”
