Ichikawa Daimon Handmade Washi is washi that has long been made in the Ichikawa Daimon district of Ichikawamisato Town, Nishiyatsushiro District, Yamanashi Prefecture. Records of paper from Kai date back to the Nara period, and the Shosoin documents of 773 (Hoki 4) list Kai as a paper-producing area. In Ichikawa, papermaking is said to have begun when Jinzaemon, a paper craftsman who served Minamoto no Yoshikiyo, regarded as the founder of the Kai Genji clan, taught papermaking techniques to the local people. In the time of the Takeda clan, 'Hadayoshi-gami' paper, likened to being 'as beautiful as the skin of a beautiful woman,' was made here, and the papermakers were generously protected as the 'Hadayoshi-shu.' In the Edo period, the paper was presented to the shogunate as official paper. Later the area became a major production center for shoji paper, boasting the largest output in Japan. The raw materials are kozo (paper mulberry) and mitsumata (Oriental paperbush), and the paper is also well suited to art paper and gasenshi (calligraphy and painting paper). In 1995 (Heisei 7), it was designated a Yamanashi Prefecture Designated Local Traditional Craft.
Origin
The beginnings of Ichikawa washi lie in a tradition associated with Minamoto no Yoshikiyo (Takeda Kanja), regarded as the founder of the Kai Genji clan. When Yoshikiyo moved to Ichikawa, his retainer Jinzaemon was skilled in papermaking and is said to have taught the technique to the local people. After death, Jinzaemon was enshrined at Shinmei Shrine, which venerates the god of paper, in honor of these lifetime achievements. In Ichikawa Daimon, there is also a site said to be the remains of Yoshikiyo's residence.
History
Paper from Kai appears in a record of 773 (Hoki 4) in the Shosoin documents, and in 1240 (En'o 2) there are said to have been many papermaking households in Ichikawa. From the end of the medieval period it was protected as official paper of the Takeda family, and even after the fall of the Takeda family it was presented to the shogunate as official paper of the Tokugawa family. In the modern era, the area prospered as a production center for shoji paper, while the shift to machine-made paper advanced. In 2020 (Reiwa 2), the town set up the 'Ichikawa Handmade Washi Dream Workshop' to train successors, but abolished it in March 2025 (Reiwa 7).
Features
Ichikawa Daimon Handmade Washi has been made by hand, one sheet at a time, from kozo and mitsumata. The name 'Hadayoshi-gami' comes from the high regard for its fine, beautiful surface, like the skin of a beautiful woman, and its durability. Handmade paper is well suited to art paper and gasenshi, and the town has also kept up a traditional custom of making children's graduation certificates from handmade paper. The techniques cultivated as a shoji paper production center are also put to use in machine-made shoji paper and washi products.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Soaking
The bark used as raw material is soaked in water to soften it.
- 2
Shajuku (Boiling)
The raw materials are boiled so that the fibers loosen easily.
- 3
Washing and Bleaching
The materials are washed in water to remove impurities (aku) and dirt and are whitened.
- 4
Kokai (Beating)
The fibers are beaten and loosened to make pulp.
- 5
Papermaking
The pulp is scooped up with a sugeta (a bamboo screen set in a wooden frame), and sheets are formed one at a time.
- 6
Pressing and Drying
Water is squeezed out of the wet sheets, and they are dried.
- 7
Sorting and Cutting
The finished sheets are sorted and cut to size.
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Artisans & Workshops
株式会社大直
A washi manufacturer headquartered in Takada, Ichikawamisato Town. It switched from handmade to machine-made paper in 1960 (Showa 35) and took its current company name in 1974 (Showa 49). In addition to shoji paper, it runs the paper product brands 'SIWA｜紙和,' developed with Naoto Fukasawa, and 'めでたや' (Medetaya).
Official site →金長特殊製紙株式会社
A long-established washi papermaker in Ichikawamisato Town, founded 160 years ago. It makes durable 'ito-washi' (thread washi) with polyester threads made into the paper, and also uses this paper to make Japanese kites painted with warrior pictures such as Ushiwakamaru and Benkei.
How to Buy
- めでたや Kawaguchiko Store
- A shop run directly by Onao, located inside Fuji Oishi Hanaterasu at 1477-1 Oishi, Fujikawaguchiko Town. It carries 'めでたや' (Medetaya) products, which turn Ichikawa washi into small items celebrating seasonal events and auspiciousness. Open from 9:30 to 17:00.Where to buy →PR
- Ichikawamisato Town Hometown Tax Donation (金長特殊製紙)
- As a return gift for Ichikawamisato Town's hometown tax donation (furusato nozei), 金長特殊製紙's 'Japanese Kite Made with Koshu Washi (Ito-washi)' is offered. It measures 67 cm wide and 98 cm long, and there are five designs to choose from. Ito-washi is durable and strong against wind, and it can withstand long hours of kite flying.Where to buy →PR
FAQ
Q. What is the connection between the Shinmei Fireworks and washi?
A. The Shinmei Fireworks of Ichikawamisato Town are said to have begun when fireworks were offered as part of the Shinmei Shrine festival on the anniversary of the death of Jinzaemon, who brought papermaking to the area. There is a record of the 'Ichikawa Daimon Shinmei Fireworks' from 1711 (Shotoku 1), and the fireworks of Ichikawa are said to have been counted among Japan's three great fireworks displays in the Edo period.
Q. Can I still try handmade washi making?
A. The 'Ichikawa Handmade Washi Dream Workshop,' set up by the town to train successors, used to offer postcard papermaking experiences. However, the workshop and the town-run Paper Testing Station were both abolished on March 31, 2025 (Reiwa 7). If you would like to try papermaking, please check the latest situation with Ichikawamisato Town.