The thirteen hundred year old Japanese tradition of hand papermaking has, over time, begun to disappear like many other traditional arts. Currently, there are over four hundred papermaking households throughout Japan, but in just ten years, I believe that number will decrease to two hundred. The decrease in papermaking households has also happened here in Yakumo-cho; this area which used to have approximately 30 mills has now shrunken to just our house, Izumo Washi.
One reason for the decline in washi production is the change of culture. Homes built with Fusuma (sliding screens) and Shoji (paper door screens) have begun to disappear, and e-mail has taken the place of the handwritten paper letter. I also believe that the tranquility of Japanese life is gone. I wish that people would be able to understand the joy of being able to create new uses for paper using traditions that are more than a thousand years old.
In order for us paper mills to continue creating washi in the future, there are four things that are necessary. If even one of these four things is missing, washi makers will continue to dwindle:
1. The training of papermaker successors
2. The ability to maintain and guarantee a high quality of Mitsumata, Kozo and Gampi fibers.
3. The training of people who make papermaking tools
4. Increasing the number of people who make paper (the development of new highly useful value-adding people)
It has been thirty four years since I began papermaking as my job. I graduated from university in 1974, and because I was already familiar with the world of washi since I was a child, when my grandfather Eishirou Abe was declared a national treasure in 1968 I decided to begin work in the mill. At that time, it was truly an amazing time to be there with my grandfather and my father—three generations of papermakers. From my father I learned how to maker paper and handle a business, and I had my eyes opened to the wide world of paper by my grandfather. In 1984, I lost my father and then later my grandfather Eishirou Abe passed away. We had been making paper together for ten years.
After 24 years since my establishment in this industry, I’ve begun to search for my own successor to continue the tradition. I have three children of my own, but while I would love one of them to come and join me in the mill, for now, they only watch me from afar making my paper.
The true enjoyment of papermaking comes when the papermaker and the user are able to become one. It should also be said that papermaking isn’t a one-person job. At the moment, myself, my wife, my younger brother, my eighty-year old mother, an intern and two women from the neighborhood make a total of seven of us doing the work needed. I am especially thankful to my family’s cooperation at the mill. This is the secret to making great paper.
On a final note, Yakumo-cho has a beautiful view of the mountains, an abundance of good quality natural materials, is overflowing with natural waters and it has unbelievably welcoming people. You should come visit us here. My grandfather used to have a saying: “People love an honest man, and an honest job is papermaking.” So I will put down my pen now, keep making paper, and keep my promise to my grandfather while remembering and believing those words.
The true enjoyment of papermaking comes when the papermaker and the user are able to become one. It should also be said that papermaking isn’t a one-person job. At the moment, myself, my wife, my younger brother, my eighty-year old mother, an intern and two women from the neighborhood make a total of seven of us doing the work needed. I am especially thankful to my family’s cooperation at the mill. This is the secret to making great paper.
On a final note, Yakumo-cho has a beautiful view of the mountains, an abundance of good quality natural materials, is overflowing with natural waters and it has unbelievably welcoming people. You should come visit us here. My grandfather used to have a saying: “People love an honest man, and an honest job is papermaking.” So I will put down my pen now, keep making paper, and keep my promise to my grandfather while remembering and believing those words.
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