Washi: Japanese Paper

Overview

Japanese paper, known as washi, is attractively textured and extremely durable. In Japan, it's used in everything from sliding doors to banknotes. Paper first arrived from China around the 7th century and spread alongside Buddhism. Recently, crafts featuring washi have been getting attention outside Japan, and new paper production methods―including using vegetable scraps―have been popping up. In a 5-minute digest, we explore washi's role in modern society and examine how it represents Japanese aesthetics.