Forming paper, Miyama paper

Water is placed in the basin wherein the paper will be made and adequate amount of paper mulberry pulp and the adhesive agent is mixed in and stirred. The adhesive agent is highly viscous, allowing the fibers of the paper mulberry pulp to remain evenly dispersed in water. In the case of Miyama paper, the inner part of the bark of panicled hydrangea is used to make the fiber-dispersing mixture. A saku (mat made of pieces of split bamboo or reed tied together) is used to make the paper by scooping up the mixture, shaking back and forth, left and right to eliminate excess water. This step is repeated. Once the paper is ready is it then placed over the oshi-ita pressing board in layers.