A Paper for Communication: The Strength Supporting Authority and Information

When Echizen washi first stepped onto the historical stage, its primary role was as a "recording medium" for the state and its rulers. The oldest confirmed surviving example of Echizen washi dates back to the Nara period, used for a family register in 730 AD. Under the ritsuryo legal system of the time, national census and tax records were vital information, forming the very foundation of the state's administration. Consequently, the recording medium had to be of a quality that could endure long-term preservation. Furthermore, as Buddhism was protected as the state religion, Echizen washi was reportedly produced in massive quantities for sutra copying, a practice widespread in temples across the country.

As Japan transitioned into the age of the samurai, the paper's role grew even more critical. A thick, durable washi known as 'Echizen Hoshogami' became the preferred choice for official documents issued by the shogunate and feudal lords (daimyo). This indicates that the paper's quality and prestige were valued not just for transmitting information, but also for signifying the issuer's authority. During the Edo period, its exceptional durability and resistance to counterfeiting led to its adoption for the 'Fukui-hansatsu,' one of Japan's first clan-issued currencies, and it played a key role in supporting the economies of many domains. From ancient to early modern times, Echizen washi was tasked with preserving official information that needed to last. It was, in essence, a highly functional material that buttressed the very foundations of the state and society.