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Echizen City in Fukui Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest washi (Japanese paper) production areas, with a history spanning approximately 1500 years. Its name is mentioned in ancient documents of the Shosoin, and it has long been a place where paper was made for offerings to the imperial court and as official paper for the Edo shogunate. Since its founding in the first year of the Meiji era, Yamaji Paper Mill has continued to produce handmade washi.

The "Uki-gami" crafted by Yamaji Paper Mill is based on traditional hand-making techniques, featuring textures designed from digital data that are embossed onto the paper's surface. The pattern's appearance changes with the angle of light, and you can feel the distinct relief with your fingertips. The contours appear more three-dimensional than typical embossing due to a unique technique developed by the mill. The colors are dyed using pigments that resist fading, typically used for dyeing kimono, allowing you to enjoy vibrant hues for a long time. 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 handmade washi. Unlike smaller products like tea canisters, the overall pattern and the relief feel like a single piece of art. The texture of the washi and the three-dimensional pattern add a tactile element to your interior space.

The design is by Mr. Taniguchi of Yamaji Paper Mill, who is both a designer and a washi craftsman. The pattern "PATA" features hand-drawn semicircles and rectangles that repeat in a rhythmic manner. When you look closely, the shapes begin to resemble the letters "P" and "T." It was noted that when one realizes the sequence of letters, the name naturally came to be. Although designed with a repeating pattern in mind, when viewed as a whole panel, slight distortions from the hand-making process become apparent. It appears orderly yet not perfectly aligned. This intentional imperfection adds to the charm of the design, blending the traditional image of washi with the symbolic image of the alphabet, creating a folk art-like atmosphere.

The production and finishing of the wooden frames are also carried out locally. The frames are crafted by a workshop that has been making tools for washi production in Echizen, while the framing is handled by a specialist who also works on hanging scrolls for local shrines and temples. The three elements that make up this panel—paper, wooden frame, and mounting—are all produced within the region, showcasing the enduring skills and craftsmanship that remain in this area.

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

Bringing Washi into Modern 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 washi with techniques like "Hikkake," "Suki-awase," and "Nagashikomi." Amid the transition from washi to Western paper in Japanese life, the brand was established with the desire to discover new uses and possibilities for washi while preserving the 1500-year-old hand-making techniques of Echizen. 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, aligning with contemporary lifestyles.