Keep it long, treasure it long.

Handmade Japanese Paper Landscape

Echizen City in Fukui Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest washi (Japanese paper) production areas, boasting a history of approximately 1500 years. Its name appears in ancient documents from the Shosoin, and it has long been known for producing paper as offerings to the imperial court and as official paper for the Edo shogunate. Yamaji Paper Mill has been crafting handmade washi since its founding in the first year of the Meiji era.

The "Uki-gami" produced by Yamaji Paper Mill is based on traditional hand-making techniques, featuring a surface embossed with textures designed from digital data. The patterns change in expression depending on the angle of light, and the tactile sensation of the surface is palpable to the fingertips. The three-dimensional appearance of the contours, which is more pronounced than typical embossing, is a result of a unique technique developed by the mill. The colors are dyed using pigments that are resistant to fading, typically used for dyeing kimono, allowing for long-lasting and vibrant hues. This is a new form of washi born from the intersection of traditional craftsmanship rooted in a 1500-year-old production area and the precision of digital technology.

Everyday Scenes as Patterns

The Uki-gami panels combine the hand-making techniques of Echizen washi with the embossed textures designed from digital data, framed in a wooden structure. The size is 80×52 cm, maximizing the dimensions of the handmade washi, and unlike smaller products like tea canisters, the overall pattern and texture feel like a single piece of art. The texture of the washi and the three-dimensional patterns enhance the materiality of the interior space.

During the paper-making process, fibers slowly flow, intertwine, and layer in a vat filled with water. "Undulation" is a pattern transformed into a rhythmic design by Mr. Taniguchi, a craftsman and designer at Yamaji Paper Mill, who has witnessed this scene daily. Depending on the viewing distance and angle, it can reflect the ripples on the water's surface or the gentle intertwining of threads, creating an abstract pattern that embodies movement within tranquility. By intentionally mixing thick and thin lines, the Uki-gami achieves depth and richness when transformed into paper. This design is a product of Mr. Taniguchi's unique perspective as both a washi maker and a designer.

The production and finishing of the wooden frames are also carried out within the region. The frames are crafted by a workshop that has been making tools for washi production, while the framing is handled by a craftsman who also works on hanging scrolls for local shrines and temples. The fact that all three elements—paper, wooden frame, and framing—are produced within the region signifies the enduring presence of skills and artisanship in this area.

You can choose from three colors: Natural, Gray Sakura, and Rikyucha (a grayish brown). The Natural color is unbleached and untreated (with a transparent coating to reduce dirt and fluff), showcasing the inherent texture of the Uki-gami. From a distance, the pattern is subtle, becoming apparent as you approach, offering a color that does not overpower. The addition of Gray Sakura brings a vibrant expression, while the grayish brown of Rikyucha blends seamlessly into any space, whether traditional or modern. Combine your favorite colors and patterns to create a unique piece just for you.

Bringing Washi into Modern Everyday Life

Founded in the first year of the Meiji era, Yamaji Paper Mill is a manufacturer of handmade artistic washi based in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture. Initially, it produced plain papers such as "Housho," and around 1950, it began manufacturing patterned papers like "Hikkake," "Suki-awase," and "Nagashikomi." Amid the transition from washi to Western paper in Japanese daily life, the brand was established with the desire to preserve the 1500-year history of Echizen's hand-making techniques while discovering new uses and possibilities for washi. To ensure that the inherited skills are passed on to the next generation, the mill continues to create products that blend traditional hand-making techniques with modern digital technology, adapting to contemporary lifestyles.