Whitening, Miyama paper

Drying: The peeled bark (called kurokawa) is put together into small bundles and hung over the hase (drying rack) under the eaves to dry.　Shaving: Once dry, the kurokawa bark is then soaked in water until soft, at which point the amakawa (layer of bark underneath the kurokawa layer) is then shaved off using a special knife, leaving behind the shirokawa (inner bark). Drying: The shirokawa is then hung over the hase or placed over snow for between seven days and ten days before it is bleached. The treated shirokawa is left to dry again and then stored away.