Sekishu Washi is a traditional Japanese paper that has been produced for centuries in the Iwami region of western Shimane Prefecture. With a history stretching back approximately 1,300 years, it is one of Japan’s best-known traditional papermaking traditions.
According to tradition, the famous Nara-period poet Kakinomoto no Hitomaro introduced papermaking techniques to the region. Since then, the craft has been refined and passed down through generations.
Today, Sekishu Washi is recognized for its outstanding cultural value. It has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan and a Traditional Craft Product. Sekishu-hanshi, a particular type of Sekishu Washi, is also included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Iwami region, where Sekishu Washi is produced, is blessed with abundant forests, clean water, and a rich natural environment. Traditional papermaking uses plant fibers such as kozo, mitsumata, and gampi.
Locally grown kozo is especially valued for its long fibers. These fibers help create paper that is both strong and flexible, while remaining remarkably light and pleasant to the touch.
Sekishu Washi often has a slightly warm, yellowish tone when first produced. Over time, it can gradually develop a beautiful lighter color. Its durability and resistance to deterioration also make it suitable for long-term preservation.
One of the defining characteristics of Sekishu Washi is its exceptional balance of strength and flexibility. Even when folded or crumpled, the paper is difficult to tear. It also has good resistance to moisture.
For this reason, it was traditionally used for account books, documents, books, and shoji paper, the translucent paper used in traditional Japanese sliding screens.
There is even a famous story from the Edo period that merchants in Osaka used Sekishu Washi for their account books and, when a fire broke out, threw the books into a well to protect them. The fact that the paper could survive being soaked in water illustrates its remarkable durability.
As Japanese homes have changed and the use of traditional shoji screens has declined, Sekishu Washi has found new applications in a variety of fields.
Today, it is used for restoring cultural properties, calligraphy paper, certificates, crafts, and other specialized products. It also plays an important role in traditional Iwami culture, including the masks and snake-body structures used in Iwami Kagura performances.
Sekishu Washi has also entered the world of contemporary design. It was selected for the lampshades of JR West’s luxury sightseeing train, TWILIGHT EXPRESS MIZUKAZE, demonstrating how traditional craftsmanship can be incorporated into modern spaces.
Traditional Sekishu Washi is produced through a careful series of handmade processes. These include removing the bark, cooking the fibers, removing impurities, beating the fibers, forming the sheets, drying, and final inspection.
One of the most distinctive techniques is nagashizuki, a traditional Japanese method of papermaking. The fibers are repeatedly moved through water and evenly distributed across a screen, allowing them to interlock and form a strong, beautifully textured sheet.
Another important ingredient is neri, a natural mucilage made from the roots of the tororo-aoi plant. It helps keep the fibers suspended evenly in water and contributes to the smooth, consistent finish of the paper.
The history of Sekishu Washi is remarkably long. The craft is mentioned in the Engishiki, a collection of laws and regulations compiled during the Heian period, demonstrating that paper from the region was already an important product more than a thousand years ago.
During the Kamakura and Edo periods, production was encouraged under systems controlled by regional feudal governments. Sekishu-hanshi in particular became known throughout Japan for its exceptional strength.
With the arrival of industrialization and changing lifestyles in modern Japan, traditional papermaking faced a period of decline. However, dedicated craftsmen continued to preserve the techniques.
In 1969, Sekishu Washi was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property, bringing renewed attention to the tradition. In 2009, Sekishu-hanshi was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, giving this regional craft international recognition.
One of the best places to learn more about Sekishu Washi is the Sekishu Washi Hall. Exhibits introduce the history of traditional Japanese paper and explain the various stages of production.
Visitors can also try making washi paper themselves through hands-on papermaking experiences, which require advance reservation. Creating a sheet of paper by hand provides a unique opportunity to understand the skill, patience, and natural materials behind this traditional craft.
The facility also includes a shop and gallery featuring a wide selection of Sekishu Washi products, including calligraphy paper, Japanese-style stationery and goods, accessories, and other handmade items.
Displays connected with local culture, including Iwami Kagura masks, are another highlight and demonstrate how deeply washi is connected with the traditions of the Iwami region.
Today, only a small number of workshops continue to produce Sekishu Washi. For this reason, facilities such as Sekishu Washi Hall play an important role in training future craftsmen and passing traditional techniques on to the next generation.
Seeing the papermaking process and observing the craftsmen’s careful handwork helps visitors understand that Sekishu Washi is much more than a sheet of paper. It is a living cultural tradition shaped by nature, history, craftsmanship, and the people of Iwami.
Sekishu Washi is not simply a traditional craft product. It represents the combined heritage of the local environment, history, craftsmanship, and everyday life of the Iwami region.
Visitors can deepen their understanding of the craft by touring workshops, learning about the production process, and trying traditional papermaking for themselves. Purchasing a handmade washi product also provides a meaningful souvenir that can bring memories of Shimane into everyday life.
Born from the clean water and natural resources of the peaceful Iwami countryside, Sekishu Washi is characterized not by flashy decoration but by quiet beauty, remarkable strength, and refined craftsmanship.
The opportunity to encounter the skills and spirit of craftsmen who continue to preserve this tradition offers a meaningful cultural experience for travelers interested in authentic Japan.
When visiting Shimane Prefecture, take the time to discover the world of Sekishu Washi. By seeing, touching, and even making traditional Japanese paper yourself, you can experience a remarkable craft tradition that has continued for more than 1,300 years.