WASHI
UNA TRADIZIONE MILLENARIA
The story
La parola washi è composta da wa, che significa "giapponese", e da shi che significa "carta".
Si riferisce quindi alla carta giapponese fatta a mano secondo il metodo tradizionale, derivato dall'antica arte cinese di produzione della carta.
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La leggenda narra che sia stato un monaco buddista ad introdurre la Carta Washi in Giappone nel 610 circa. Per molti anni rimase destinata alle classi più agiate. Nel corso dei vari secoli divenne la specializzazione di molte località.
La carta washi è stata utilizzata sin dall'antichità all'interno delle abitazioni per la sua capacità filtranti attenuando l'intensità della luce.
The Fiber
Although it is known as “rice paper”, washi is not made with rice but with the fibres of some typical Japanese plants:
Kozo, Mitsumata and Gampi. According to Japanese culture, the first plant represents the male element with strong fibres, the second the delicate and soft female element and the third the noble, rich and long-lived one.
Handmade washi paper is born from the processing of the so-called “paper mulberry” (kozo), an extremely refined material.
It is a paper of good consistency, very resistant and is said to resist even damage caused by insects.
Since November 2014 it has been included among the UNESCO Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The manufacturing process
The beaten fiber is added to the water on a wooden frame with a very fine mesh. Usually the amount of fiber is about 1% of the amount of water and mixed thoroughly so as to evenly disperse the fibers. Neri's solution is then added (the amount depends on the type of paper to be made).
The Nagashizuki method requires that the fiber mixture be in constant motion on the surface of the screen.
The actual movement varies depending on the type of fiber used, the paper being made, and the individual paper manufacturer.
It is said that on average a single sheet of paper takes one minute to complete; resulting in 40 sheets per hour (allowing additional time to add pulp and ink to the vat) or approximately 300 sheets per day.
The sheet is carefully detached and placed back in the frame with the opposite side facing up.
This technique ensures uniformity on both sides of the screen and prevents the accumulation of any fiber residue on the surface that could interfere with future paper removal.
The sheets of paper are overlapped and left to drain naturally overnight.
The next day, they are placed in the "ASAKUKI" or press and gradually pressed until 30% of the moisture is removed.
The pressed papers are carefully removed one by one and brushed onto boards to dry naturally or onto a steam-heated metal surface for faster drying.
The finished cards are hand cut to specific sizes with uncut edges to indicate handcrafted workmanship.
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