 
Located about one hour outside the heart of the town is a narrow mountain path that leads to where the Ozaki family makes paper. First-timers who visit the papermaker are surprised to find that the Ozaki family not only live here, but that they makes their paper here as well.
As you get out of the car, the gentle rays of sunlight make the green foliage sparkle; the atmosphere lends itself to unknowingly taking a deep breath because the air is so beautifully clean.
The village in which the Ozakis live has long been known for its sericulture (rice cultivation). However, during the winter break, the farmers made paper as their livelihood. In essence, they were part-time farmers and part-time papermakers. As time has gone by, the area has seen a decrease in population and the Ozaki family is the only papermill left.
In fact, they are one of the few papermakers in the entire nation who both cultivate the papermaking materials and creates their own washi, too. Every December, the Kozo is harvested (Mitsumata is every January); the Kozo will go on to be made into Seichosen, and the Mitsumata will become Seikosen paper. In both olden and modern times, this old-fashioned papermaking was regarded as an artistic skill that makes strong, high-quality paper. Originally, Seichosen was viewed as a paper for record documents, but it is said that during fires, Seichosen would be dunked into a well to absorb the water and then used to extinguish the fire—all while keeping its original shape after putting out the fire.
The papermill enlists all three generations of the Ozaki family to create the paper. Mr. Shigeru Ozaki and his wife handle the raw fiber materials, and their daughter Fumiko makes the paper. Fumiko’s husband, Kojiro, then dries the paper. However, a few years ago the Ozakis’ granddaughter, Akari, began helping out as well, and has become quite skilled in the art of making beautiful washi. Akari is a bright young woman who also a part of the local village’s Youth Association volleyball team.
One can truly feel the warmth and high-quality that comes, undoubtedly, from the fact that three generations are making this washi.
In 1977, Seichosen Paper was declared an intangible, national cultural asset, changing the very way the paper had been viewed for years. The origins of Seichosen are unknown, however it has been made in many regions throughout the country. The first records mentioning Seichosen in literature appear in 1685. It was circa the 19th century that the current regions where Seichosen is produced began their manufacture. Due to its ability to virtually never age and its strength,
TSUYOSHI AGETA
Kochi Washi Coop
|
|
