Kansai's handmade washi villages MIE Fukano-gami Reproducing Matsusaka-ginsatsu as symbols of Fukano Iinan Town Board of Education Address: 3910-1 Kayumi, Iinan Town, Iinan-gun, Mie Prefecture TEL:059832-2300 Fukano-gami, or washi produced in Fukano, was known in the past as one of Japan's highest quality papers. It became well known nationwide when the Kishu clan used it as the base material for its hansatsu, called Matsusaka-ginsatsu, during the Edo period. Hansatsu were convertible notes issued by each han, or clan, and because such a paper currency had to be durable, the Kishu clan chose Fukano-gami for its unparalleled strength and beauty. As times changed, Fukano-gami went into decline. This was reversed in 1987 when the Fukano Washi Preservation Society was established to preserve and teach the Fukano-gami method, giving everyone the opportunity to learn it. Currently, an Iinan Town-led project is under way to produce bookmarks modeled after surviving Matsusaka-ginsatsu notes and distribute these to promote the town. In addition, plans include the use of Fukano-gami for local officials' business cards and elementary school graduation certificates. In these ways, the traditions of Fukano-gami are being kept alive. All images Copyright. 1997 Kansai International Public Relations Promotion Office. All Rights Reserved.