World Exposition Award in Paris, Inshū washi paper, Aoya district

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the focus of prefectural oversight in papermaking materials turned to the cultivation of paperbush. Modern bleaching techniques were also introduced as this time, and along with a sharp increase in demand, mechanical production of paper expanded (from about 500 factories earlier in the Edo period to more than 1300). This trend continued through the end of the Taisho period (1912-1926). Tantamount to this continued growth was the work of Fusayasu Kihachi (1852-1930), who dedicated himself to the development of Inshu washi by proactively promoting innovative techniques and winning prestigious awards like that at the Paris World Exposition in 1900.