Glossary of Washi Paper

Washi is paper made by hand in Japan from long plant fibres. It is strong, light and durable, and it is the ground of woodblock prints, scrolls, screens and books. In 2014, three traditional washi techniques were inscribed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. This glossary explains the terms.

Fibres

  • Kōzo. Paper mulberry, the most common fibre, giving strong, long fibred paper.
  • Mitsumata. A shrub giving smooth, soft paper with a slight sheen.
  • Gampi. A wild shrub giving fine, glossy and translucent paper.
  • Neri. A mucilage, traditionally from the tororo-aoi root, that keeps fibres suspended in the vat.

Making the sheet

  • Nagashizuki. The Japanese method of forming a sheet by repeatedly rocking the mould, giving thin, even and strong paper.
  • Tamezuki. An older method of forming a sheet in a single dip.
  • Dōsa. Sizing of animal glue and alum that prepares paper for printing and painting.

Regional papers

  • Echizen. In Fukui, one of the oldest and most varied papermaking centres.
  • Mino. In Gifu, famous for thin, even paper. Hon-minoshi is one of the UNESCO techniques.
  • Hosokawa-shi. From Saitama, a strong kōzo paper and another UNESCO technique.
  • Sekishū-banshi. From Shimane, the third UNESCO technique.
  • Tosa. In Kōchi, known for very thin papers used in conservation.

Papers in use

  • Hōsho. A thick, soft kōzo paper used for woodblock prints.
  • Torinoko. A smooth, eggshell coloured paper of gampi or mitsumata.
  • Karakami. Decorated paper printed from carved blocks, used on sliding doors.
  • Chiyogami. Paper printed with small repeating patterns.
  • Japanese tissue. Thin kōzo paper used by conservators around the world to repair paper and books.

Collector notes

  • Washi is acid free by nature, which is why old prints and documents often survive in good condition.
  • Paper type and thickness can help to date a print and to tell period impressions from later ones.
  • Washi should be kept from strong light and damp, which cause fading and foxing.

Related references

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