日本の和紙

[From December Issue 2012]

 

The tradition of Japanese Paper or washi (wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper) originated in China and was introduced to Japan through Buddhism. Paper making began during the Nara Period (8th century) and continued to develop gradually. But it is mostly during the Edo period (17 ~ 19th century) that Japanese paper became really popular, when it began to be sold all over Japan and new types of washi appeared. The production of paper became a part-time job during winter in farming villages.

Washi is the general term used to describe handmade paper made with traditional Japanese techniques. One of the biggest differences in the production processes, compared to normal wood pulp paper, is that the process requires little or no chemicals. Most Japanese paper is made in winter when pure, cold running water, essential to the process, is abundantly available. The cold water inhibits the growth of bacteria that might spoil the paper. The result is a paper that usually is sturdier and more durable than normal paper.

Washi is mostly made from the bark of gampi, mitsumata or kozo (paper mulberry) trees. Washi made from bamboo, hemp, rice, or wheat can also be found, but in smaller amounts and is mostly produced for specialized purposes.

The kozo tree is indigenous to the south of Japan. As it is known for producing strong fibers, it has also been used to create textiles. Mitsumata is a type of bush native to China that has been used for papermaking in Japan since the 17th century. With its ivory color and fine surface it is especially suitable for making calligraphy paper, but was also used to make paper money during the Meiji period (19 ~ 20th century). The gampi tree is found in the mountains of Japan. Japanese paper made of gampi fibers is very rare and very expensive. Mainly used for books and artisanal crafts, it has a natural reddish cream color and a smooth, shiny surface.

At the beginning of the production process branches are pruned, steamed, dried and stripped of their bark. The fibers are then boiled in water to remove starch, fat and tannin. Then it is rinsed in cold running water to remove any impurities. The remaining non-fibrous material is removed by hand. Wet balls of fiber are scooped onto a screen and shaken to distribute the fibers evenly. After drying the fibers, the washi is ready and it only needs to be sorted and cut.

Echizen (present day eastern side of Fukui Prefecture) paper dates back to the 15th century and is named after the region that produces it. Echizen is one of the most famous regions for paper production and its papermaking tradition was recognized as a traditional Japanese craft in 1976. Often used to create Japanese style lanterns, umbrellas or shoji screens, Mino (present day Gifu Prefecture) paper was first mentioned in the 14th century and is famous for its durability.

Ieda Paper Craft was established in 1889 in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture and now owned by the fourth generation of the IEDA family. They become well known for their “1/100” brand that combines paper craft with art. One of their most successful products is their paper snowflakes. The blurry borders of the Japanese paper are reminiscent of the structure of snow crystals, giving them a beautiful and realistic look. They are used as window decorations and, rather than having to use glue, will adhere to glass with just water. They can be removed and reused many times. Easy to use, ecological and safe for children, these paper snowflakes are the perfect decoration for the winter season.

NIHON ICHIBAN

Text: Nicolas SOERGEL

[2012年12月号掲載記事]

 

和紙の製法は中国から始まり、仏教と共に日本にもたらされました。奈良時代(8世紀)に伝わった和紙は徐々に改良を重ねてきましたが、江戸時代(17~19世紀)にもっとも一般に広まりました。日本中で売られるようになり、新しいタイプの和紙も創造されました。そして和紙作りが農村の冬季の副収入となりました。

和紙は一般的に日本の伝統技法を使った手作りの紙のことを示します。パルプの紙と大きく異なる点の一つに製造工程があります。和紙の製造に薬品は必要なく、使用してもごく少量です。和紙のほとんどは、製造に必要なすんだ冷たい水が豊富にある冬の季節に作られます。冷たい水は和紙をむしばむバクテリアの成長を抑える効果があり、その結果、普通の紙より丈夫で長持ちする紙ができます。

和紙のほとんどが、ガンピ、ミツマタ、あるいはコウゾ(紙用の桑)の木の皮から作られます。竹や麻、米、麦から作られた和紙も少し見られますが、ほとんどが特別な目的のために作られます。

コウゾは日本の南部が原産の植物です。強い繊維として知られ、織物にも使われています。ミツマタは中国原産の低い木で、日本では17世紀以来使われています。象牙色で表面がなめらかなことから、特に習字の紙に適していますが、明治時代(19~20世紀)には紙幣としても使われました。ガンピは、日本の山にある植物です。ガンピの繊維から作られた和紙はとても少ないので、大変高価です。天然の赤みがかったクリーム色で表面はなめらかで光沢があり、本や職人が作る工芸品に使われます。

製造するには、まず枝を刈り、樹皮を蒸して、乾かした後にむきます。次に繊維を沸騰した湯に入れて、でんぷん、油脂、タンニンを取り除き、冷たい水流にさらして不純物を除きます。残った非繊維物は手で取ります。湿った繊維の玉をすき船の中で均一に分散させて、すきすの上にすくい上げ、繊維が均等になるようにゆすります。このすきあげた繊維を乾燥して和紙は完成します。その後に必要なサイズに切ります。

越前(現在の福井県東部)和紙の名は地名からつけられ、その生産は15世紀にさかのぼります。越前は有名な和紙の生産地の一つで、1976年には日本の伝統工芸品として認められました。美濃(現在の岐阜県)紙についての最初の記述は14世紀にあり、耐久性の高い和紙として知られ、提灯、傘、障子などに使われています。

家田紙工株式会社は、1889年に岐阜県美濃市で設立され、現在のオーナーは家田家の四代目です。アートとクラフトを結びつけた「1/100ブランド」で知られています。最も成功した製品は紙のスノーフレーク(雪の結晶)です。境目がはっきりしない和紙は本物の雪の結晶のようで、きれいに見えます。窓の飾りとして使われ、のりなしで水だけでガラスにつきます。取り外しができ、何回でも使えます。簡単に使えてエコで子どもにも害がありません。これらの紙の結晶は冬の季節の素晴らしいデコレーションです。

NIHON ICHIBAN

文:ニコラ・ゾェルゲル

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