Removing the outer layer, Inshū washi paper, Aoya district

The remaining outer layer is carefully removed from the epidermis. This is done in a two-step process. The first step, called the "kagofumi," entails stomping on the bark pieces to soften the inner mulberry fibers. The second step, called the "kagonade," uses a knife to remove the damaged sections and knots by scrapping the pieces with the edge of the blade. Unlike general washi papermaking where usually only the inner part of the bark is used, a distinct characteristic of Ishu washi papermaking is that both the inner layer of bark and the greenish epidermis is used.