Charm of the Washi

TOP >> Washi and Paper

It became how to call "washi" and "paper" to Meiji Era. The "youko-sya" began paper manufacture by a machine in 1874. The handmade paper made from a kozo is called "washi". And　the　paper made from the machine as a wood pulp material is called "paper". However, the paper currently called "washi" is also made by machine. It seems that therefore, there is no clear definition.

"washi" is made from kozo Diplomorpha sikokiana Edgeworthia chrysantha etc. Since every sheet is made from a craftsman's hand, it is called high-class paper. Paper milling is carried out when making "washi". Then, strong paper is made. Directivity for the fiber produced according to a process because called smooth and beautiful paper. And on Japanese paper, water is absorbed well. A fiber is very long. Therefore, it is not torn simply And also to folding is strong Because it lasts long strongly. Moreover, since most medicine is not used, compared with paper, it can recycle easily and is environment-friendly. Although it is washi with a good feature like this, most things seen in a usual life by the spread of paper have been lost. About Japanese paper, also in order to know in more detail, please also unite and see the page of "About a washi."

paper means the paper descended and imported. Unlike Japanese paper, most papers which have generally spread now are produced by machine by paper. Therefore, quality is constant and fit for mass consumption of a copy etc. Although it is cheap and wood pulp which is easy to come to hand is in use as materials of paper, used paper is recycled and it may be made. However, since many medicine is used in the case of production, a difficulty also has that recycling will be difficult and paper will deteriorate etc. Compared with Japanese paper, there are many kinds of paper so that it may be properly used by a use. Has not what we are calling usually "paper" pointed out paper mostly? At least as for it, paper has permeated our life.

Incidentally, it was compared using the mechanical pencil, the water pen, the oily pen, and the highlighter pen whether it should be easy to write which between Japanese paper and a foreign paper. Since it said that it was used to foreign papers, such as a loose-leaf notebook and drawing