Miyama Washi Paper

Shiratakamachi, where Miyama washi paper is made, is located in the Miyama region of central  Yamagata prefecture. The Mogami River that flows from north to south through the middle of town provides ever changing scenery.

The history of Miyama washi is thought to date back as far as the Muromachi period (1392–1573). Papermaking took place in Miyama and in peripheral areas. Historical documents from the seventeenth century mention that the noborigami delivered to Edo from Miyama was of high quality; telling us that paper was already being produced in the area by that time. Later, papermaking became one of various local industries to be promoted by Uesugi Yōzan (1751–1852), the ninth head of the ruling Yonezawa clan. Yōzan encouraged the cultivation of kozo (paper mulberry trees), whose fibers form the basic component of handmade paper. Miyama paper was used not only for shōji (paper screen windows or doors) but also for official documents of the Uesugi clan, as well as for wrapping specialty local products such as dried safflower and ramie fibers for shipping. 

Takahashi Megumi has been in charge of papermaking at the Miyama Washi Promotion and Research Center since the year 2003. Besides actually producing Miyama paper, the Center also exhibits photographs and panels detailing the processes of papermaking, and gives visitors a chance to see how paper is actually made. Visitors can also make their own paper if they book in advance. In addition, there are also papermaking opportunities each year in late September (for example, September 20–21, 2015) during the festival Shirataka Ayu Matsuri, celebrating the abundance of ayu (sweetfish) found inhabiting in the clear currents of Mogami River.  At a craft fair held in conjunction with the festival, visitors can try making their own paper, decorating it with drawings, or doing paper marbling.

Traditional Miyama papermaking, which continues today, typically includes the addition of fibers from a plant called panicled hydrangea which serves as an adhesive, adding viscosity to the pulp vat and helping to disperse fibers evenly. In other parts of Japan, sunset hibiscuses are cultivated this purpose, panicled hydrangeas are cultivated as an alternative to this in many regions of Yamagata prefecture. Panicled hydrangea, however, is difficult to cultivate, for which reason many papermakers harvest panicled hydrangeas that grow naturally in the mountains. Thus, not many types of washi are made using panicled hydrangea. In this way, it is vital to hand down tools and knowledge about raw materials in addition to the techniques of papermaking.

In recent years, Miyama paper has become widely used for graduation certificates at universities and other schools. 

A combination of Miyama paper and the organic EL panel that was invented in Yamagata created a new lighting product entitled YUKI ANDON ("snow lanterns").

 Cutting: The kozo wood is cut into lengths of about 80 cm and tied into 26 kg .                              Steaming: A straw platform called a hekubi is placed over a steaming pot. The bundles of paper mulberry wood are then place on top of the straw platform and covered with a barrel. The whole thing is then steamed for about 2–3 hours.

Drying:  The peeled strips of bark (called kurokawa, lit., "black bark") is put together into small bundles and hung over a hase (drying rack) under the eaves to dry.　                   Peeling Fibers: Once dry, the kurokawa bark is then soaked in water until soft, at which point the bark layers on the outside of are peeled or scraped off using a special knife, leaving behind the light colored bast fibers (shirokawa, lit., "white bark"). 　                   Drying: The fibers are then hung over the hase or placed directly on the snow for between seven to ten days to bleach. Finally, the whitened fibers are dried completely for storage.

Rinsing: Soda water and dirt is rinsed off.                             Beating: The cooked fibers are beaten with a wooden club to separate and soften them.

Pressing: The paper placed in layers on the oshi-ita pressing board is compressed to eliminate excess water.　　Drying: Using a stick, the papermaker carefully removes each sheet of paper from from the stack and places it over a board made from Japanese Judas (katsura) tree to dry in the sun or in a drying machine. 

Besides the making of Miyama paper, the Center also exhibits photographs and panels of the process of papermaking, as well as allowing visitors a chance to see how paper is actually made. Visitors can make their own paper they book in advance.