Towards the middle of the 16th century,
Luis FROIS, a Portuguese missionary, lived in Japan and later published a book
about Japanese history based on his experience. In 1590, the first Japanese book
using movable type, the Christian Edition, was published on gampi paper. This
paper was more beautiful and durable than any paper Europeans had known and they
called it "plant parchment". A Japanese-Portuguese dictionary of this period includes
the names of many kinds of Japanese paper, demonstrating the extent of its interest
to westerners.
The Netherlands gained independence in the late 16th century and at the same time
began trading with Japan. After the Edo (Tokugawa) shogunate adopted its policy
of isolation, only the Netherlands was allowed contact with the country, and the
offices of Dutch merchants in Nagasaki were Japan's only window of trade with
the outside world. When the Dutch painter Rembrandt harmensz VAN RIJN noticed
that the paper wrapping lacquerware from Japan was both durable and beautiful,
he immediately placed an order for washi, using it to create many masterpieces
of etching. These works received great acclaim, and through this attention Japanese
paper became widely known.
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Engelbert KAEMPFER, a German doctor
on a Dutch ship, came to Japan in 1690 and observed Japan from the point of view
of a natural historian. After returning home, he wrote the Amoennitalum Exoticarum.
One chapter of this account, entitled "History of Japan", served as a guide to
Japan and Japanese paper. Carl Peter THUNBERG, a Swedish botanist who came to
Japan in 1774, gave a detailed account of Japanese papermaking and its raw materials
in his book on the flora of Japan. Philipp Franz VON SIEBOLD, a German doctor
who came to Japan in the early 19th century, disseminated information on Japan
upon his return to Europe. He also brought back with him a great deal of Japanese
paper and numerous paper products.
When Japan opened its borders in 1852, European nations sent delegates to establish
diplomatic relations. Rutherford ALCOCK, the first British minister to Japan,
praised washi when describing Japanese arts and crafts in his famous work, The
Capital of the Tycoon. He encouraged the exhibition of Japanese products, including
washi, at the World Exposition in London in 1862. Washi also attracted the attention
of the world at the Paris Expo in 1867.
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