Check out these articles
-
Video article 19:33
Glass Beads Left Behind in Byodoin Temple in Kyoto Restored By an Izumi Tombodama Craftsman! The Brightly Colored Tombodama Glass Beads Are so Beautiful They've Been Compared To Miniature Glass Universes!
Traditional Crafts- 219 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 5:36
A Close Look at the Raden Craftsmen Who Preserve the Traditional Japanese Craft of Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. Made of Brightly Colored Seashells, They're Truly Works of Art!
Traditional Crafts- 54 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 5:06
Enjoy a Moment of Healing With the Fantastic Lights of Gifu Paper Lanterns from Gifu Prefecture! The Soft Glow of These Lanterns, Handcrafted by Skilled Artisans, Is Popular All Over the World!
Traditional Crafts- 222 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:08
Kirikane: A Japanese Technique That Uses Gold Leaf to Draw Patterns on Buddhist Decorations. Check Out the Beautiful Craftsmanship in These Works of Art Created by Highly Skilled Artisans!
Traditional Crafts- 321 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 6:36
A Look Inside the World of an Embroiderer Who Revives Memories With His Craftsmanship. A Traditional Japanese Craft Where the Craftsman's Heart and Soul Goes Into Every Single Stitch!
Traditional Crafts- 131 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 7:28
Pewter - A Craft Produced by Master Artisans That Has Been Passed Down for Generations in Japan. A Close Look at One Pewtersmith Who Respects the Tradition of His Craft and a Look at His Beautiful Works
Traditional Crafts- 13 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:00
Yamagata Casting Is an Essential Part of Japan's Tea Ceremony Culture. A Quick Look at the Traditional Craft of Yamagata City, Yamagata and How It's Made!
Traditional Crafts- 126 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 5:57
Learn About the Spirit of Craftsmanship of Buddhist Altar Lacquerers of Takaoka Butsudan, A Traditional Craft of Takaoka, Toyama! These Beautiful Lacquer Techniques Aren't Mastered Overnight!
Traditional Crafts- 88 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:00
The Beauty of Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture's Owari Shippo... As if the Seven Treasures Themselves Were Inlayed in These Works...
Traditional Crafts- 76 plays
- YouTube
Mino Washi - A Traditional Handmade Craft of Gifu Prefecture With a Soft Touch and Transparent Beauty! Check Out How the Amazing Japanese Craft Is Made in This Video!
Mino Washi - A Traditional Japanese Craft
This video, titled "Paper Making at the Mino Washi Studio "Corsoyard" (美濃手漉き和紙工房Corsoyardの紙づくり「本美濃紙」), was created by "Handmadepaper Corsoyard."
It introduces the process of making handmade Mino Washi paper.
Making traditional Mino Washi involves a series of complicated processes which you can learn more about in this introductory video.
The Mino Handmade Paper Co-operative (美濃和紙協同組合) and Mino Washi Preservation Society (美濃和紙保存会) have successfully preserved the traditional Japanese craft of Mino Washi throughout the years.
Together with Sekishu-banshi (石州半紙) and Hosokawashi (細川紙), Mino Washi (Honminoshi) was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Japan in 2014.
How Mino Washi is Made
As you can see from 0:08 in the video, Mino Washi is made from the highest quality mulberry called kouzo (楮), a special breed specifically used for making Mino Washi, using traditional Japanese techniques.
The first step to making Mino Washi involves soaking the paper mulberry overnight in water and washing away any impurities in a process called "Mizusarashi" (水晒し).
The paper mulberry may also then be removed from the water and laid out on the ground, being exposed to the sunlight in a process called "Agesarashi" (あげ晒し).
From 5:56 in the video, you can see the mulberry plant material being boiled in a process called "Shajuku" (煮熟) after which the material is pounded.
Traditionally, potassium bicarbonate extracted from wood ash was used during the boiling process.
However these days, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydroxide are commonly used, depending on the type of material being used.
The fibrous material is then poured into a vessel called a "Sukifune" which the craftsmen can then use to create the Mino Washi paper.
The fibers can be easily broken down due to removal of dirt and impurities in the previous steps.
From 30:57 in the video, you can see the large sheets of washi paper being taken outdoors to dry in the sun.
As there are many important steps and rules to follow in order to make Mino Washi, it is essential that all of the craftsmen are highly skilled.
There are currently only five craftsmen, members of the Mino Washi Preservation Society, who are able to make Mino Washi using traditional techniques.
Where to Purchase Mino Washi
There are many stores and workshops in the Mino area of Gifu prefecture where you can buy handmade Mino Washi paper.
The natural materials and traditional techniques together produce paper that has a beautiful, transparent finish characteristic of Mino Washi.
Mino Washi paper is often used to make Japanese sliding doors called "Fusuma" (襖) and "Shoji" (障子).
Recently, Mino Washi is gaining in popularity and you can now find a variety of items made from Mino Washi, such as "Gifu Uchiwa Fans" or "Goshuincho," books used to collect shuin stamps at shrines and temples.
Accessories or origami made from Mino Washi also make great gifts!
Many of these traditional craft goods can be purchased for a reasonable price so be sure to check out what's available!
Mino Washi products can be purchased online as well as at stores and workshops in Gifu prefecture.
Summary of Mino Washi Paper - A Traditional Craft of Japan
We hope you enjoyed watching this introductory video outlining the complicated processes involved in making the traditional Mino Washi paper of Mino, Gifu.
Mino Washi is handmade paper of the highest quality and has even been registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Japan.
If you're traveling to Gifu, an area which famous for the World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go (白川郷), be sure to check out the beautiful Mino Washi items on sale!
AccessMap (Google Maps)
-
Video article 9:42
True Craftsmanship! You Won't Be Able To Take Your Eyes off These Edo Brooms for Even a Second! How a Masterpiece of Tokyo That'll Last You 10 Years, Came To Be!
Traditional Crafts Celebrities- 383 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:47
Meet the Craftsman That Has Been Crafting Intricate Bunraku Puppet Heads for 40 Years! This Interview With an Awa Deko Ningyo Puppet Maker Will Make You Fall in Love With Ningyo Joruri!
Traditional Crafts- 252 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:35
Enjoy Japanese Kimono Culture With "Yuki Tsumugi," a Traditional Japanese Craft! The Beautifully Designed and Supremely Comfortable Kimonos, Made by Hand With Time and Care, Are Truly Luxurious!
Traditional Crafts- 151 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:55
The Beautiful Sound of the Koto: Hear the Entrancing Tones, Born of the Craftsmanship of Master Artisans
Traditional Crafts History- 585 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:29
Suruga Bamboo Ware: A Traditional Japanese Craft With Breathtaking Detail in Shizuoka Prefecture. You Won't Be Able To Take Your Eyes off These Amazing Works of Art!
Traditional Crafts History Life & Business- 354 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 14:51
Kakejiku - Traditional Japanese Hanging Scroll Art
Traditional Crafts Art & Architecture History- 160 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:12
Koshu Inden - A Beautiful Craft Using Lacquered Deer Leather. Discover Japanese Culture and Craftsmanship With These Amazing Artisans in Kofu, Yamanashi!
Traditional Crafts History- 166 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:25
This Is the Epitome of Craftsmanship! Enjoy the Charm of Tokyo's Quintessential Traditional Japanese Craft, "Edo Kimekomi Dolls"!
Traditional Crafts- 62 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:42
Discover the Secrets Behind the Beauty of Bizen Ware, a Ceramic Craft From Okayama Prefecture Handed Down Since the Heian Period! A Craft That Captures the Hearts of Tourists!
Traditional Crafts- 136 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:45
The Gorgeous Carp Streamers of Kazo Saitama; One of the Few Carp Streamer Towns in Japan. The History of These Handmade Crafts and How They're Made!
Traditional Crafts Traditional Culture Celebrities- 387 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 9:59
Enshu Onigawara: Traditional Crafts Said to House the Souls of the Demons Themselves! Only the Most Skilled Craftsmen Can Produce Their Soul Piercing Glares. These Master Artisans in Fukuroi, Shizuoka Share Their Thoughts on Enshu Onigawara
Traditional Crafts- 451 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 7:58
Edo-Kiriko – Works of Art That Shine Like Jewels. A Closer Look at the Charm of This Traditional Craft of Tokyo, Which Can Cost Millions of Yen or More, and How It's Made!
Traditional Crafts Things to Do- 404 plays
- YouTube
Comment