Oguni Washi is handmade washi paper made in Oguni Town, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture. In Oguni, an area of heavy snowfall, unique methods that make use of snow have been handed down. Representative examples are snow bleaching (yuki-zarashi), in which the bark of the raw material, kozo (paper mulberry), is laid out on the snow in the sun to bleach it, and kangure, in which the stack of freshly made sheets (shito) is buried in snow and kept there until spring. The practice of 'drying in the sun on the snow,' in which made sheets are pasted onto boards and dried on the snow, is also carried out. According to records, kozo cultivation and papermaking were carried out as winter work by farming households in 1682 (Tenna 2). In the Edo period, paper was paid as annual tax from mountain settlements that had no rice paddies. In the early Showa era, as many as 22 million sheets were produced in a single winter, and today the Oguni Washi Production Cooperative passes on these skills. The methods using snow became a national Selected Intangible Cultural Property and a Niigata Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property, and in 2022 it was designated a Prefecturally Designated Traditional Craft of Niigata Prefecture. It is used for calligraphy and painting paper, sake labels, and more.
Origin
Papermaking in Oguni dates back, according to records, to 1682 (Tenna 2). Farmers cultivated kozo alongside their farming and made paper as work during the winter, when the area was shut in by snow. In the Edo period, paper is said to have been paid in kind as annual tax by settlements in mountainous areas that had no rice paddies. Amid life in this land of deep snow, unique methods that use snow for bleaching and storage were developed.
History
Papermaking continued as winter work in Oguni, and in the early Showa era as many as 22 million sheets of paper were produced in a single winter from small settlements. In 1973, the methods using snow were designated a national Selected Intangible Cultural Property, followed in 1974 by designation as a Niigata Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property. In 1984, the Oguni Washi Production Cooperative was established to preserve the fading Oguni paper for future generations. In May 2022, it was designated a Prefecturally Designated Traditional Craft of Niigata Prefecture.
Features
Its greatest characteristic is the use of snow at each stage of production. On clear winter days, the kozo bark is laid out on the snow in the sun and bleached by the power of the snow. Stacks of freshly made paper are buried in snow for storage, and the weight of the snow reduces their moisture. Inside the snow, outside air is blocked and the temperature is kept constant, so the paper can be stored until spring without rotting or freezing. The paper finished in this way has a glossy whiteness and a soft texture.
Techniques
Snow bleaching (yuki-zarashi)
A process in which, on clear winter days, kozo bark is spread out on the snow and exposed to the sun to bleach it. It is a method unique to Oguni, an area of heavy snowfall, and gives Oguni Washi its bright whiteness.
Kangure
A process in which the shito (stack of freshly made sheets) is buried in snow and stored at a low temperature until spring. Inside the snow, outside air is blocked and the temperature is kept constant, so the paper is preserved without rotting or freezing. The weight of the snow also draws out moisture.
Drying in the sun on the snow
A process in which, on clear winter days, freshly made sheets are pasted onto paper-drying boards and dried on the snow. As the paper dries, the sunlight on the snow also advances the bleaching, finishing it as white paper.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Stripping the bark
The bark of harvested kozo is carefully stripped and prepared.
- 2
Snow bleaching
The kozo bark is exposed to the sun on the snow to bleach it.
- 3
Beating
The kozo is beaten to loosen the fibers, making shiso, the raw pulp for paper.
- 4
Papermaking
Sheets are formed by starting with nagashi-zuki (flowing method) and then using tame-zuki, in which water is held in the mould.
- 5
Kangure
The stack of sheets (shito) is buried in snow and stored until spring.
- 6
Sun drying
The paper is pasted onto boards and dried in the sun.
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Artisans & Workshops
小国和紙生産組合
Established in 1984 with the aim of preserving the fading Oguni paper for future generations. From spring to autumn it grows the raw material, kozo, and in winter it makes paper using traditional methods that make use of snow. It produces sake labels, fudagami paper tags for kimono, and more throughout the year.
Official site →How to Buy
- 小国和紙の店（小国和紙生産組合売店）
- A shop attached to the production cooperative that displays and sells Oguni Washi and goods made with washi. Open 9:00 to 16:00. It is said to be closed on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and over the New Year period, so it is best to check before visiting.Where to buy →PR
Hands-on Experiences
小国和紙生産組合
新潟県長岡市小国町小栗山145
A papermaking experience using craftsmen's tools costs around 4,000 yen per group (5 sheets, shipping included, 40 to 60 minutes). Making a small andon lantern costs around 1,200 yen and making an uchiwa fan around 1,000 yen; all require reservations.
View details →FAQ
Q. Why is the paper buried in snow?
A. Inside the snow, outside air is blocked and the temperature is kept constant, so freshly made paper can be stored until spring without rotting or freezing. The weight of the snow also has the effect of drawing out moisture, and this process is called 'kangure.'
Q. What is Oguni Washi used for?
A. In addition to paper for calligraphy and painting, it is used for sake labels, fudagami paper tags for kimono, wallpaper for buildings, and more. The production cooperative makes sake labels, fudagami for kimono, and other items throughout the year.