Washi

Washi (和紙) is traditional Japanese paper processed by hand using fibers from the inner bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, or the paper mulberry (kōzo) bush. Washi is used in many traditional Japanese arts, such as origami, shodō, and ukiyo-e. It was traditionally used to make various everyday goods like clothes, household goods, and toys, as well as vestments and ritual objects for Shinto priests and statues of Buddhas.

It was even used to make wreaths that were given to winners in the 1998 Winter Paralympics.
As a Japanese craft, it is registered as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

Back to Paper & Materials →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.5

PAPERFROST

Make something by hand — papercraft projects, folding, and paper art you can actually finish.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every entry, image, and fact is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.