A traditional masterpiece rooted in the region. A journey through the beautiful handicrafts of Izumo, Shimane Prefecture

The highest quality washi paper made by utilizing the characteristics of the raw materials

Izumo Folk Crafts Paper

The history of paper in Izumo is long, dating back to the Nara period. Moving forward to the Edo period, the lord of Matsue Domain trained craftsmen and developed the industry, and then the neighboring Hirose Domain also began encouraging papermaking, and eventually it began in Yakumo-cho, Matsue City.

One of the representative Japanese papers of Izumo is "Izumo Mingei Paper." The "Mingei Movement" mentioned in the story of the Densai Kiln had a major impact on Izumo Mingei Paper. The founder was Abe Eishiro, born in Matsue to a family whose business was papermaking. In 1931 (Showa 6), when visiting Matsue, Yanagi Muneyoshi saw the paper made by Eishiro and praised it, saying, "This is truly Japanese paper," and this was the opportunity for Eishiro to participate in the Mingei Movement.

Eishiro produced dyed paper that made the most of the natural qualities of Japanese paper, as well as unbleached paper made by splitting the raw materials, such as the strong fibers of kozo, the soft mitsumata, and the short, shiny gampi, and these later came to be known collectively as "Izumo Mingei paper."

The papermaking process itself doesn't vary much from one workshop to the next, but the raw materials are what make the difference. While some workshops rely on imported raw materials, Izumo Mingei Paper insists on using domestically produced materials, and the techniques of Eishiro, who was designated a Living National Treasure, are carried on by his son and grandson.

A workshop that carries on the traditions of Izumo iron forging

Blacksmith Workshop Hiromitsu

There is a scene in Hayao Miyazaki's film "Princess Mononoke" where there is a "Tatara" (a metalworking furnace). Tatara is a technique for making iron using iron sand as a raw material, and its origins date back to the Kofun period. The Izumo region, which is also said to be the setting for "Princess Mononoke," is the most prosperous region for iron making in Japan.

It is the job of blacksmiths to turn the steel made at the tatara furnace into products. Blacksmiths, who manufacture and repair knives, scissors, sickles, hoes, and other items, were once found all over Japan as an indispensable part of people's lives, but after the war, they gradually disappeared due to changes in agriculture and forestry and lifestyles. The Izumo region is no exception.

Among them, there is a workshop called "Koji Kobo" that continues to carry on the Izumo tradition of iron processing. Since the Edo and Tenpo eras (1830-1844), the workshop has been engaged in tatara ironworking and blacksmithing, and the current owner, Hiroya Kodo, is the 10th generation owner.

In the past, "Koji Kobo" used high-quality Japanese iron to make farm tools, swords, and other bladed items. When Hiroya took over in the 1950s, iron products were still in demand as tools for daily life, but the demand gradually decreased and the blacksmith shop closed down. It was a tough world where burns were commonplace, and Hiroya was considering closing down the business when he took over.

However, his children, who grew up watching their father, did not allow the light of tradition to be extinguished. Currently, Hiroya spends his days struggling with fire in the workshop while instructing his son, Munemitsu, who is the 11th generation successor, and his daughter, Yuki Tsuge. While inheriting traditional techniques, he is working on creating hand-held candles, lighthouses, candlesticks, and other lighting, as well as flower vases, with the desire to create items that are needed in modern life. He says that he often incorporates the opinions of his children into his new works.

Even though the products they make may change, the traditional technique of carefully hammering heated iron to remove impurities remains the same. Iron, which gives the impression of being hard and rugged, becomes soft and pliable when heated. This kind of flexible thinking may be necessary for local handicrafts to survive.