The Need For Japanese Paper
As you already know, japanese culture has contributed a lot to the modern era. As a matter of fact, the colorful Japanese culture is still a huge influence in the modern world. As a matter of fact, a lot of people have adopted Japanese culture. Being able to appreciate the Japanese culture is important for that matter. Fans of Japanese culture will love to know its origins and roots. That said, you should know that Japanese paper has a lot of involvement in the Japanese culture.
The Japanese paper is also something that is known for its contribution in the modern society. If you must know, washi paper is another name for the Japanese paper. The translation is quite literal. The thing about Japanese paper is that it is handmade using traditional process. Some of the most common ingredients for crafting Japanese paper are gampi bark, bamboo, and wheat. That’s because the fibers from those are quite strong. Because of that fact, Japanese paper is considered to be more durable compared to papers made in the west. There are also different applications for the Japanese paper such as clothing and toys. When it comes to origami and calligraphy, Japanese paper is perfect.
Keep in mind that making Japanese paper takes a long time. Manufacturing Japanese paper is also something that usually happens when the winter season comes. That’s because it’s when the cold spring water is present. That kind of water helps with the prevention of damage to the fibers of the raw materials. That also means less artificial chemicals will be needed to make the Japanese paper.
Boiling the Kozo branches is also another way to manufacture Washi paper. After that, the dried branches need to be dried. Cooking them with fat, tannin, and lye is also necessary to remove the starch. Keep in mind that the branches need to be rinsed thoroughly in order to have the lye removed. After that, the remaining fibers have to be bleached in a stream and the leftover residue or impurities will be removed manually by hand. The branches will be then laid on a rock and get beaten.
A vat of water is needed for the next process. What comes next is that the ingredients and pulp will be mixed and put on the screen. Shaking the ingredients is also part of the process. Adding Tororo root into the water can also result to a thinner Japanese paper. Japanese paper that is thin is best suited for calligraphy. If you’re going to use Japanese paper for walls or clothing, then you don’t need the root.
If you’re interested in design prints, then you should get some plain washi papers for yourself. That said, high-quality Japanese paper also come with silver and gold details.