Peeling, Kurotani paper

If the paper mulberry bark is peeled off as soon as possible after the harvested material is steamed, it can be removed neatly. There is a 91-year old woman working in this process, and she is very skillful in preparing the paper mulberry shingles, including peeling off the black bark. After adequate drying, immersion in the river makes it easy to shave off the bark. After that, a knife is used to remove the surface layer as well as any blemishes so that only superior-quality white root bark remains. This portion is then rinsed in the Kurotani River, left out to dry and exposed to sun and snow.