{"id":3123,"date":"2025-12-10T22:30:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T13:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/?page_id=3123"},"modified":"2025-12-10T22:30:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T13:30:17","slug":"howtomake","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/en\/washiinfo\/howtomake\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Izumo Washi: A Simple Guide with Photos and Videos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This article explains how to make Izumo Washi. The manufacturing process of Izumo Washi involves seven main stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u76ae\u5265\u304e ~ The peeling process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u716e\u719f\uff08\u3057\u3083\u3058\u3085\u304f\uff09~ The boiling process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u7070\u6c41\u629c\u304d\u3001\u5875\u53d6\u308a ~ The removing impurities process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u53e9\u89e3(\u3053\u3046\u304b\u3044) ~ The beating process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u7d19\u6f09\u304d ~ The papermaking process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u5727\u643e ~ The pressing process<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u4e7e\u71e5 ~ The drying process<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2193 Click here for a video explaining how to make Izumo Washi!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"\u51fa\u96f2\u6c11\u85dd\u7d19 \u5168\u5236\u4f5c\u5de5\u7a0b\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pt5LVeEaR1A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s go through the steps in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u76ae\u5265\u304e ~ The peeling process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-482\" src=\"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/image7-11.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The harvested raw material is steamed, and the outer black bark is peeled off using a knife. The remaining white inner bark becomes the paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u716e\u719f\uff08\u3057\u3083\u3058\u3085\u304f\uff09 ~ The boiling process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-484\" src=\"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/image2-27.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The white bark is placed in a cauldron, soda ash is added, and it is boiled for about two hours until soft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Soda ash helps soften the raw material and works to dissolve and remove impurities other than the fibers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u7070\u6c41\u629c\u304d\u3001\u5875\u53d6\u308a ~ The removing impurities process<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/image4-16.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-486\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Since dissolved impurities adhere to the raw material, it is exposed to running water overnight to wash away the lye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Afterward, any debris remaining on the bark is carefully removed piece by piece using flowing groundwater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">This process is repeated about three times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u53e9\u89e3(\u3053\u3046\u304b\u3044) ~ The beating process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-488\" src=\"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/image6-10.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fibers of the raw material are finely beaten and separated to create the &#8220;paper stock&#8221; (shiryo) ready for papermaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the past, the material was beaten by hand with sticks, but now there are two stages: using a &#8220;foot-operated mortar&#8221; and using a machine called a &#8220;beater.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Ganpi (clove-like shrub), the fibers are first loosened using the &#8220;foot-operated mortar.&#8221; Then, final adjustments are made using water pressure in the &#8220;beater.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u7d19\u6f09\u304d ~ The papermaking process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-483\" src=\"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/image1-31.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The raw fibers and <em>Neri<\/em> (a sticky liquid extracted from the roots of the sunset hibiscus) are placed into a vat called a <em>Sukibune<\/em>. The paper is then formed using a <em>Sukigeta<\/em> (papermaking screen).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>About 250 sheets are made per day. To finish the paper with uniform thickness, the intuition of a craftsman with many years of experience is required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Izumo Washi differs significantly from general Washi in the &#8220;mixture of paper stock and Neri&#8221; and the &#8220;handling of the <em>Suketa<\/em> screen during the process.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First, scoop shallowly and spread the liquid over the entire <em>Suketa<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Next, scoop relatively deeply, moving the screen back and forth, then left and right.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finally, ensure no paper stock liquid remains on top of the <em>Suketa<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Water quality is also crucial; unless the paper is made with clean water suitable for loaches to live in, the fibers will be damaged, and high-quality paper cannot be produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u5727\u643e ~ The pressing process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-487\" src=\"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/image5-12.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The formed paper sheets are stacked one by one while still wet. This stack of Washi is called the &#8220;Shiso&#8221; (paper bed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The &#8220;Shiso&#8221; is left overnight to allow excess water to drain. Then, pressure is gradually applied using a jack to slowly squeeze out the remaining water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u4e7e\u71e5 ~ The drying process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-485\" src=\"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/image3-18.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The drained sheets are peeled off the &#8220;Shiso&#8221; one by one and dried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drying methods include sun-drying, where sheets are pasted onto boards, and thermal drying, where sheets are pasted onto iron plates heated by steam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, the paper is inspected to ensure the fibers are spread evenly and there are no scratches or impurities, completing the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"swell-block-button -size-l is-style-btn_normal\" style=\"--the-fz:1.5em\"><a href=\"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/washiinfo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"swell-block-button__link\"><span>Return to the <strong>&#8220;Introduction to Izumo Washi&#8221; page<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article explains how to make Izumo Washi. The manufacturing process of Izumo Washi involves seven main st [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":491,"parent":2720,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"swell_btn_cv_data":"","_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"http:\/\/ae-mahalo.design\/?page_id=489","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3123","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","en-US"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3123"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3125,"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3123\/revisions\/3125"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2720"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/washi-iyashi.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}