This is a fascinating video showing the step by step process of making Japanese washi papers from kozo. The bulk of the decorative chiyogami papers I use are kozo papers and this justifies their incredible expense even further. In fact, after watching this, $16-$20 for a sheet of this paper – especially once intricately silkscreened – seems like a total deal!
(Thanks to @anniebissett for posting the link on Twitter!)
That was well worth the 9 minutes! What a curious rippling of activities the human fabrication of materials can be.
This sent me right back to harvesting and processing kozo right here on campus! It’s amazing how much Iowa and Japan have in common as far as climate goes.
It looks very complicated, but actually Japanese paper is easier to replicate at home than Western-style paper.
Thanks for posting!
I love this! Thanks for sharing the beauty!!