Types of washi paper for Japanese traditional books

Although sheets of white paper may look the same and are made using basically the same process, if you look carefully, you’ll notice significant differences.

Here we look at these differences in detail. First, watch the video to see some actual examples.

Types of papers introduced in the video

• Kigami, Kisukigami (raw paper) – paper without additives
• Jukushi (finished paper) – specially-treated Kigami paper for a variety of uses
• Eishi (polished paper) – a kind of jukushi in which the part where the writing goes is first rubbed with a hard object
• Uchigami (hammered paper) – another kind of jukushi; the entire sheet is hammered with a wooden mallet
• Tsugigami (connected paper) – multiple kinds of papers connected together; more details in week 2
• Mica-based paper – paper decorated with mica; more details in week 2

Books introduced in the video:

• Mandai wakashū, Bunsei 3 (1820), an example of Eishi
  Click to see the image and information
• Keiroku-shū, early Edo period, an example of Uchigami
  Click to see the image and information

Let’s give it a try!

The video introduced the uchigami or “hammering” technique. With something hard (preferably a wooden object), try to beat a thick piece of paper you have at hand. Has this treatment made the paper easier to write on?