The many applications of washi MORITA Yasutaka Director, Japan Paper Academy Kozo-shi , Gampi-shi , Mitsumata-gami Ma-shi , Chiku-shi , Tsugi-gami Dan-shi , Tairei-shi , Chiyogami , Moyo-gami , Sumi-nagashi Japanese painting washi - Ma-shi Ma-shi(paper made from hemp) Ma-shi was invented in 105 by Cai Lun of China's Hou Han Dynasty as a paper medium for transcribing writings. The ma-shi making technique was introduced to Japan via the Korean Peninsula, and along with the inheritance of the Chinese philosophy of paper, ma-shi was valued as the best-quality paper. Ma-shi consisted of two types, asanuno-gami (hemp cloth paper) and asakawa-gami (hemp skin paper). The former was considered superior, while the latter, having a rough surface, had to be smoothed by striking it with a wooden mallet or rubbing it with a wild boar tusk before use as writing paper. Because of its difficult manufacture and use, ma-shi eventually ceased to be made by the middle of the Heian period (794-1185). From the late Taisho period (1912-1926) to the early Showa period (1926-1989), IWANO Heizaburo I, known as the paper god of Echizen and encouraged by Dr. NAITO Konan of Kyoto Imperial University, studied ma-shi techniques and eventually succeeded at reviving the ancient paper in the form of Japanese-style painting paper. Many master artists of the day used Iwano's ma-shi for their larger paintings, and one such work was a joint production by YOKOYAMA Taikan and SHIMOMURA Kanzan. Entitled Mei-an (bright and dark), the now Waseda University-owned artwork measures five meters square, and the ma-shi used for this masterpiece attracted public attention in its time as the world's largest sheet of paper. Most of the paintings by Yokoyama, Shimomura, and TAKEUCHI Seiho, as well as by such contemporary artists as HIRAYAMA Ikuo and HIGASHIYAMA Kaii, used Iwano's ma-shi. The Iwano workshop is now run by IWANO Heizaburo III, who manufactures more than ten kinds of ma-shi, each different in size, thickness, and characteristics, including one as large as 2.1 meters by 2.7 meters.

Kozo-shi , Gampi-shi , Mitsumata-gami Ma-shi , Chiku-shi , Tsugi-gami Dan-shi , Tairei-shi , Chiyogami , Moyo-gami , Sumi-nagashi Japanese drawing paper - Chiku-shi Chiku-shi(paper made from bamboo) A number of historic documents from the Nara period (710-794) mention a paper called chikumaku-shi (bamboo screen paper). This is assumed to be the same as chiku-shi, or bamboo paper. Paper made from bamboo is excellent for use with calligraphy in India ink. Processing the bamboo to make the paper, however, is rather difficult. Typically, young bamboo, only slightly past sprouting and at the point when they begin to lose their tenderness, are used to make chiku-shi. Bamboo pulp is rarely produced in Japan today; instead it is imported from Taiwan, or kara-kami is purchased from Fujien Province, China, for resale in Japan or for use as raw material to be reprocessed. Kara-kami, made from moso-chiku (thick-stemmed bamboo) and manufactured in Jiangsi and Fujien provinces, was imported to Japan at very low prices as early as during the Ming and Ching dynasties. Today, Fujien Province is the main production center. Due to this paper's extremely low prices, it tends to be avoided by Japanese dealers. Kara-kami was formerly widely purchased as printing paper, but lately its production has been steadily decreasing. Chiku-shi is highly evaluated for its unique color and ability to hold India ink and is especially valued by masters of chanoyu (tea ceremony) and Zen priests as material for chagake (hanging scrolls in tea rooms). The chanoyu term "kara-kami no ichigyo-mono" refers to one-line brush calligraphy on a kara-kami hanging scroll. All images Copyright. 1997 Kansai International Public Relations Promotion Office. All Rights Reserved.