Techniques from the Heian Period Continue into Modern Times

Please tell us about your company's history.

Ban Tokyo Matsuya is a publishing house and wholesaler of Edo Karakami. We manufacture, sell, and wholesale Washi interior materials for Fusuma and wallpaper.

Founded in the 3rd year of Genroku in Edo, this year marks our 336th anniversary. Due to numerous fires, very few records remain. Each time a disaster struck, we wrapped our treasures—our protected Buddha statue, past register, and memorial tablets—in a Furoshiki (wrapping cloth) and fled to Ueno Mountain. I am now the 18th generation according to these cherished artifacts.

Initially, the founder Ihei Matsuya began as a book planning and publishing company, which after three generations evolved into a paper shop. During this change, Ihei took on the name Rihei, and since then, the name "Rihei Matsuya" has been inherited through generations. This area is a temple town, so we have operated as a specialty store handling materials used by craftsmen for Shoji (sliding rice paper doors), Fusuma, and decorative fabrics for hanging scrolls, including Kinran & Donsu (金襴・緞子), Fusuma-bone (襖榾), Fuchi (椽), and Kazari Kanagu Hikite (錺金具引手).

Please tell us about the history of Edo Karakami.

Ban It dates back to the Heian period. The paper used (詠草料紙, "Eiso Ryoshi") was domestic Washi decorated to imitate the pattern papers brought over from the Northern Song dynasty. This beautiful paper was used by nobles to write Yamato poetry. Initially, it was used for partitions and folding screens in noble households, later its use transitioned to Fusuma.

Karakami that developed in Kyoto made its way to Edo in the early Edo period. Fires frequently occurred in Edo, a city of one million, leading to a high demand for fusuma, which allowed the Karakami industry to flourish. Historical records show that there were more than ten craftsmen at that time. Edo Karakami was stylish and favored by townspeople. Patterns featuring motifs such as sparrows and vegetation, which convey simplicity and a sense of the seasons, were cherished.

During the Meiji and Taisho periods, as the paper-making techniques improved, the Fusuma paper became larger, and the Edo Karakami woodblocks followed suit, allowing for larger and more generous patterns to be created.