Kurotani Paper

Kurotani-cho is located in a steep valley where the tributary Kurotani River joins the Isazu River, which flows into Maizuru Bay. Surrounded by tall mountains, the village formed on a small plain on the banks of the Kurotani River. In the past, most of the families made a living in papermaking. 

Making washi from naturally grown paper mulberry using the water of the Kurotani River are the conditions for producing a high-quality product. The oldest surviving record on paper in Kurotani Village is the Kuyu Bunsho, which dates from 1593, the 2nd year of the Bunroku era. While they primarily manufactured paper for necessary everyday items such as shoji doors and lanterns, from around 1789 to 1801, in the Kansei era, locals improved their papermaking craft in order to sell to Kyoto. Villagers made paper used in kimonos, such as kimono wrapping paper, price tag paper and shibufuda paper.

 

In line with developments in silkworm farming since the Meiji period, paper was also manufactured for use in cocoon bags. Papermaking has prospered as the main industry in Kurotani since then.











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While washi is also made from the mitsumata plant and Diplomorpha Sikokiana, the main raw material is paper mulberry. This is because paper mulberry grows faster than these other two types of flora. Also, while the mitsumata plant and Diplomorpha Sikokiana are suited for postcard and letter paper, paper mulberry is better for making long items such as shoji doors and scrolls. The harvested paper mulberry is lined up lengthwise and put into a steamer. 

The white root bark of the paper mulberry is again left immersed in the water for two days and nights before boiling. This further increases the beauty of the material. Next is the boiling, in which soda ash is poured into the boiling water in the cauldron before the paper mulberry is added while being stirred. The softened material is rinsed in water to remove lye and small dust particles.

 

Paper is made by repeatedly inserting a mat (vinegar and a thin bamboo screen) between wooden crates called keta, then vigorously pouring out the water from the papermaking vat. 

Drying boards use a great amount of pine and gingko wood. In Mino, Japanese horse chestnut is often used. The sheets of paper are applied one at a time to the drying board with a brush and dried in natural sunlight. If the weather is good, it takes about 3 hours to dry, but takes about one day if there is rain. Lastly, the paper is sorted, counted and lined up.

In 2005, the Kurotani Washi Kogei-no-Sato / Washi Craft Training Center (Traditional Arts School of Kyoto) opened in the renovated former Kuchikanbayashi Elementary School. The papermaking process can be seen and partially experienced in the former school building with the desire that many people all over the world can find out about the art of papermaking. 

Washi making has been handed down over 800 years in the once secluded village of Kurotani, but now there is only one craftsperson in the guild whose family has continued to engage in this profession for generations. Of the other 10 people, eight come from urban areas. They have different reasons for coming to Kurotani, such as the enchantment of nature or a longstanding interest in traditional papermaking, but to this day they are making washi in appreciation of the harshness and richness of that nature.