Washi 964442 217429975 2008-06-06T00:12:37Z SmackBot 433328 Date the maintenance tags or general fixes [[Image:Washi(Sugihara paper).JPG|right|240px|thumb|The ''Sugiharagami'' (杉原紙), a kind of Washi]] [[Image:折鶴 WUXGA.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Toy cranes made of Washi.]] {{nihongo|'''Washi''' or '''Wagami'''|和紙||literally, "Japanese paper"}} is a type of [[paper]] made in [[Japan]]. Washi is commonly made using fibers from the bark of the [[gampi]] tree, the [[mitsumata]] shrub (''Edgeworthia papyrifera''), or the [[paper mulberry]], but also can be made using [[bamboo]], [[hemp]], [[rice]], and [[wheat]]. ''Washi'' comes from ''wa'' meaning Japanese and ''shi'' meaning paper, and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner. Washi is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from [[wood pulp]], and is used in many traditional arts. [[Origami]], [[Shodo]], and [[Ukiyo-e]] were all produced using washi. Washi was also used to make various everyday goods like clothes, household goods, and toys as well as vestments and ritual objects for [[Shinto]] priests and statues of [[Buddharupa|Buddha]]. It was even used to make [[wreath]]s that were given to winners in the [[1998 Winter Paralympics]]. Several kinds of washi, referred to collectively as [[Japanese tissue]], are used in the conservation and mending of books. Washi was developed from the traditional [[China|Chinese]] paper-making process. ==Manufacture== Washi is produced in a way similar to that of ordinary paper, but fewer chemicals are used. It involves a long and intricate process that is often undertaken in the cold weather of winter, as pure, cold running water is essential to the production of washi. Cold inhibits [[bacteria]], preventing the decomposition of the [[fiber]]s. Cold also makes the fibers contract, producing a crisp feel to the paper. It is traditionally the winter work of farmers, a task that supplemented a farmer's income. [[Paper mulberry|Kozo]] is the most commonly used fiber in making Japanese paper. The kozo branches are boiled and stripped of their outer bark, and then dried. The fibers are then boiled with [[lye]] to remove the [[starch]], [[fat]] and [[tannin]], and then placed in running water to remove the lye. The fibers are then [[bleach]]ed (either with chemicals or naturally, by placing it in a protected area of a stream) and any remaining impurities in the fibers are picked out by hand. The kozo is laid on a rock or board and beaten. Wet balls of pulp are mixed in a vat with water (and, in some cases, [[neri]], which is a mucilaginous material made from the roots of the tororo plant) and one of two traditional methods of paper making (nagashi-zuki or tame-zuki) is employed. In both methods, pulp is scooped onto a screen and shaken to spread the fibers evenly. Nagashi-zuki (which uses neri in the vat) produces a thinner paper, while tame-zuki (which does not use neri) produces a thicker paper. ==Applications== Until the early 20th century, the Japanese used washi in applications where wood pulp paper or other materials would normally have been used. This is partly because washi was cheaper, but also because the unique characteristics of washi made it a better material. The different uses of washi are too numerous to mention, but include the following: ===[[Art]]=== * [[Ikebana]] — the art of flower arrangement, also known as kadō * [[Katazome]] — a method of dyeing fabrics using a resist paste * [[Origami]] — the art of paper folding * [[Printmaking]] * [[Sculpture]] * [[Sewing]] * [[Shibori]] — several methods of dyeing cloth with a pattern * [[Shodo]] — the art of calligraphy * [[Ukiyo-e]] — a genre of woodblock prints ===[[Clothing]]=== * [[Cosplay]] * [[Kimono]] * [[Obi (sash)|Obi]] * [[Zori]] ===[[Furniture]]=== * [[Cushion]] * [[Futon]] * [[Shoji]] ===Objects=== [[Image:Akabeko from Wakamatsu.JPG|thumb|right|250px|{{nihongo|[[Akabeko]]|赤べこ, ''red cow''}}, a traditional toy from the [[Aizu]] region, is made of painted and lacquered ''washi''.]] * [[Bag]]s * [[Bento|Bento box]] * Japanese banknotes * [[Plate]]s * [[Scale model]]s * [[Toy]]s * [[Umbrella]]s * [[Harae]]-Gushi, the washi whisk used for ritual purification by Shinto priests *Loudspeaker cones. [[Mitsubishi]] ===Events=== * [[Japanese festivals]] * [[Sumo]] ===Weaponry=== * [[Fire balloon]]s ==History== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} *[[The United States Constitution]] was printed on [[Kozogami]] washi paper. ==Types of Washi== With enough processing, almost any grass or tree can be made into a washi. Gampi, mitsumata, and paper mulberry are three popular sources. * Ganpishi (雁皮紙) - In ancient times, it was called ''Hishi'' (斐紙). Ganpishi has a smooth, shiny surface and is used for books and crafts. * [[Kozogami]] (楮紙) - Kozogami is made from paper mulberry and it is the most widely made type of washi. It has a toughness closer to cloth than to ordinary paper and does not weaken significantly when treated to be water-resistant. * Mitsumatagami (三椏紙) - Mitsumatagami has an ivory-colored, fine surface and is used for shodo as well as printing. It was used to print paper money in Meiji period. See also: [[List of Washi]] ==People and Washi== {{Expand-section|date=June 2008}} ==See also== * [[List of Washi]] * [[Genkō yōshi]] * [[Sir Harry Parkes]] ==External links== * [http://hiromipaper.com/hpi_about_washi.htm History of Washi] *{{jaanus|w/washi|Washi}} [[Category:Paper]] [[Category:Ukiyo-e]] [[Category:Art materials]] [[de:Japanpapier]] [[es:Washi]] [[eo:Washi]] [[fr:Washi]] [[id:Washi]] [[ms:Washi]] [[ja:和紙]] [[no:Japanpapir]] [[fi:Washi]] [[uk:Ваші]] [[zh:和紙]]