The Handmade Workshop shed Blending into the Surrounding Greenery

You know you are in good hands when you arrive at Hinode Washi. The staff built the wooden shed where the workshop takes place, which blends beautifully with the surrounding garden. When you enter, natural light bathes the room. With a view of the garden and the sounds of crickets in the distance, it is the best place to reconnect with nature through a washi-making experience.

A WIDE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE COURSES AVAILABLE

The papermaking experience courses include raw material preparation and are offered in one-hour and two-hour courses. Depending on what you want to make, you can choose from various options, such as creating drawings through papermaking, washi lanterns, handmade book covers, and more.

Although I had already made washi paper before, I had never encountered a workshop that guided me through all the steps, from the freshly cut branches to the paper itself. It was a truly hands-on and exciting experience, knowing that the outcome of my paper depended entirely on me. Whether it turned out well or not, the fact that I was fully responsible made it all the more enjoyable.

MAKING THE WASHI RAW MATERIALS FROM MULBERRY (KOZO)

You will peel the bark from mulberry (kozo) trees, used as the raw material for washi.

Peeling the skin of the bark from the branches was oddly satisfying. Although it was easy at first, you must focus more towards the end when taking out the little bits left so that your paper remains spotless.

AFTER PEELING THE BARK, IT IS POUNDED INTO FINE FIBERS

The mulberry fibers are thick, long, and durable, making them ideal raw materials for other purposes, such as shoji and art paper.

I was curious about how to turn hard material into soft material, and to do so, you must pound the raw bark several times until it becomes a soft fiber. 

A RAW MATERIAL PREPARATION EXPERIENCE THAT TEACHES HOW PAPER IS MADE

Usually, mulberry raw materials are prepared only in winter, but you can still experience it at Hinode Washi at any time of the year.

Life in the countryside is busy year-round, but in winter, people tend to immerse themselves in indoor crafts like washi-making as outdoor activities decrease. Since this workshop is offered throughout the year, it would be a wonderful experience no matter the season!

HAVE YOU EVER DRAWN WATER FROM A WELL?

Creating paper surrounded by nature offers the opportunity to connect with Japan's traditional culture and history. In today's fast-paced world of technological advancements, this feels like a valuable and meaningful experience.

I did not expect to feel so excited about drawing water from a well, but it was one of the best parts of the experience. You rarely see such traditional equipment anymore, let alone use it!

THE BEAUTIFUL TEXTURE OF THE WASHI IS SURFACING

The mulberry fibers, which have been thoroughly loosened using well water and adhesive, are poured in.

Seeing the soft ball of smashed bark from a mulberry tree dissolve in freshwater was fascinating. After adding the adhesive, I poured the liquid onto the paper frame several times, and gradually, my handmade washi paper started to take form.

YOU CAN MAKE WASHI AT HOME AS WELL

Hinode Washi also offers a “Home Papermaking Kit.” This set includes a papermaking screen, mulberry fibers, adhesive, and other materials for authentic papermaking. It has video tutorials and a photo-filled instruction manual, so beginners can easily make it.

After learning to make washi paper with the staff, I felt confident enough to try this again at home and even show my friends how to do it!

HANDMADE WASHI POSTCARD

You can create three handmade washi postcards at once by embedding flowers and plants or drawing pictures during the papermaking process.

I was pleased with how my washi papers turned out! There are many courses to choose from, and next time, I may try a more complex one. The workshop also has a little shop corner where you can see many washi papers, from incense sticks to lanterns and even hats!

NEW PAPERMAKING TECHNIQUES ADAPTED TO MODERN LIFESTYLES

Although traditional washi making involves complex processes and skilled craftsmanship, “Hinode Washi” has adapted the papermaking techniques with modern methods, allowing both children and adults to enjoy the experience in a fun and accessible way.

While browsing the shop, the staff explained that the colored washi papers were made by directly dyeing the bark during the washi-making process, not after! The colors were graceful. They would make a perfect gift to take back home. Since washi paper isn’t heavy, you will always have some room for them in your luggage.

“PAPERS ARE MADE FROM TREES”

Unlike traditional papermaking, Hinode Washi uses creative ideas to craft many items, making it a special place where you can truly appreciate the meaning of the phrase, “Papers are made from trees.”

Hinode Washi offers an experience that is hard to get our hands on nowadays. Even if you like crafting and D.I.Y workshops, you often make a mandatory stop at a shop. Here, you learn to create something by yourself using what nature provides: mulberry trees and freshwater.