What is Washi? - In this we interview

In this post, we bring you our first arts & culture interview. We set out to find out about Washi. What is Washi? Washi, we are told by Stan Phillips, co-owner of Au Papier Japonais at 24 Fairmount W. in Montreal, is Japanese Paper. (Wa for Japanese and shi for paper).

It is a hand-made paper made in Japan for over 1200 years consisting of the long inner-bark fibres of three plants indigenous to Japan - kozo being the main one used. The other two aside from kozo (Japanese mulberry) are Gampi tree and Mitsumata shrub. No forests are depleted in making washi as kozo is a farm crop and is regenerated annually. It is also acid-free or very low in acidity which is another one of its qualities.

His love of washi began when his co-owner and partner Lorraine Pritchard, an artist, stumbled into The Japanese Paper Place in Toronto and discovered the many uses she could put Washi to as an artist. Buying so much of it, she was offered a job and later they moved to Montreal and decided to open their own store, Au Papier Japonais.

"Artists like the translucency of Washi, the strength of it... the way they can intermix images... several layers can interact in interesting ways," says Phillips. "It is so thin, yet you can still do stuff on it... you can copy on it, you can pass it through a computer printer."

In fact, they offer many workshops, one of which is Photography on Washi. So photo enthusiasts can try their hand at 'marrying the high tech digital world with traditional craftsmanship.' Others include Lampshade Making taught by Phillips. We asked how the paper doesn't catch fire. He responded: " I teach some tricks of the trade like leaving enough space between the bulb and paper, circulate enough air between top and bottom, the paper never gets hot."

Phillips points out that people sometimes associate Japanese paper with rice paper but in fact he considers that a racial slur. This stereotype comes from the 1800's when a British official named the paper made in Japan, rice paper. As we explained earlier, Washi is made up of three fibres of three different plants.

Some of its many uses are: invitations, photo albums, collage, lighting, bookbinding,calligraphy, wall decoration, origami, cards, shades, shoji screens, gift wrapping, lampshades.

For more about the history and process of making Washi, you can consult their website. There are also several books on the topic.

We hope you enjoyed our little primer.

May your tissue no longer be an issue.