Pop Japan

Sekishu-Banshi is a papermaking tradition of what is said to be one of the strongest papers in Japan. What made it the strongest paper is the material from where it came from. Sekishu papers are made from the bark of the kozo tree or the paper mulberry tree. This kind of paper is not made from the bark itself but fromt he tough fibers just underneath the bark. The wood are normally gathered in winter, the outer bark being steamed off. The fibers are then gathered from the wood, cured with some chemicals and then filtered.

The Sekishu-Banshi method has been a treasured art in Iwami Region in Shimane Prefecture that the art is only practiced by skilled artisans and craftsworkers, making sure that the resulting paper is of the finest quality.

Tags: tradition, sekishu banshi, iwami region, shimane prefecture, papermaking tradition, strongest paper in japan, kozo tree, paper mulberry tree, paper artisans