In 2008, I visited Kamiji Kakimoto, a renowned paper shop in Kyoto that sells hundreds of beautiful Japanese papers "washi". I became fascinated by how these papers are made through techniques perfected over centuries, by artisans deeply committed to their craft. Their work carried a sense of humility but also a faint hint of pride. Since then, I wanted to spread awareness, in my own small way, about the incredible individuals behind this very simple yet masterfully crafted material.

As I visited washi workshops, it was heartbreaking to hear artisans say that their work is not only hard but also difficult to sustain them financially. The artcraft is in decline, and keeping it alive is a crucial question that the industry has been facing for many decades now. From my conversations with artisans over the years, here is an overview that scratches the surface of all the challenges to overcome, how the craftspeople have striven before and what is currently attempted to face the crisis.

The challenges

Washi, primarily made from the paper mulberry ("kozo" in Japanese), along with mitsumata and gampi fibers, undergoes an arduous process. After steaming and stripping the bark, artisans convert the white fibers into paper pulp through steps such as cooking in alkaline baths, washing, sun exposure for whitening, and meticulous hand-picking of dust and impurities to ensure further whiteness and lasting quality. After beating the fibers, the artisan forms sheets by scooping the pulp with a wooden frame in a vat. Many artisans also cultivate their plants, adding another layer of difficulty to an already laborious craft. Overall, washi artisans must endure physically demanding work, rural isolation, nature unscheduled and the challenge of running a business in a niche market.

The process described above is considered the traditional way to make washi, which has been inherited from many centuries before. But since the introduction of Western papermaking methods during the Meiji period(1868–1912), handmade washi artisans have faced a drastic decline. The 1960s-70s saw further blows, with rural depopulation adding to the struggles.