石州和紙 Sekisyuu-washi Sekisyuu Japanese Paper
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A traditional craftwork and hand made paper; Sekishu-washi is still made on the western side of Ishimi, in Shimane Prefecture. It is said that this paper dates back 1,300 years. The materials are paper mulberry and the basts of certain plants. Merchants from Osaka used to favor Sekishu Japanese writing paper for account ledgers. For a merchant, the account ledger is the second most valuable thing after life, and when they encountered a fire disaster, they threw the ledger into the well to prevent it from getting burnt. It is also said that the Sekishu Japanese writing paper was made supple yet tough, therefore the merchants never lost the customer information. There are over 10 steps to making Sekishu-washi, from the procurement of material, the processing to the paper straining. All of the work is done by hand, and sophisticated skill is necessary to be a craftsman. It is designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property.
- address
- 957-4 Furuichiba, Misumi-chou, Hamada, Shimane Prefecture, 699-3225
- name
- Sekishuwashi Kubota
- phone
- 0855-32-0353
- hp
- http://www.sekishu.jp/