A lampshade made of washi (Mino Washi Paper Museum)

The Warmth of Washi
Washi is made from kozo (paper mulberry), mitsumata (a plant of the daphne genus), gampi (another daphne plant), hemp, bamboo, and other plants. Though most paper today is machine made, the handmade sheets have more irregularities in thickness and color, which reflect how the fibers cross the paper, and give form to a myriad of expressions in each sheet. Washi is mainly used as wrapping paper, as a cover for boxes, notebooks, and other small objects, and for shoji and fusuma screens. Unlike Western paper, it contains no lignin, which deteriorates with light exposure over time. Washi is thus strong, durable, and elastic. It is also exceedingly breathable and translucent.

Interiors with a washi accent are enjoying a lot of popularity. Pleated blinds and curtains made from washi are selling well because they diffuse and give off a softer light than cloth. They also cast shadows, owing to unevenness in color and thickness, which is another big selling point. Though the paper cannot be washed, it lasts a long time if cleaned with a duster. Washi lamp shades, meanwhile, help to warm up a room.

A partition made of washi (Mino Washi Paper Museum)

The foremost figure in the modern use of washi is Horiki Eriko, who has created a variety of objects using washi to embellish architectural space. Her basic material is sheets of original washi made by modern techniques, each of which measures 2,100 cm by 2,700 cm. Using these sheets, Horiki has composed decors that blend light and paper in hotels, restaurants, universities, post offices, wedding facilities centers, and other settings. She also offers products made of her paper, including "light walls," "light pillars," tapestries, and lamps. Horiki's works are highly accepted both in Japan and worldwide.

A Good Match for Any Decor
Washi is being used by a growing number of people who want to remodel furniture or a room without fuss. Tables and shelves take on a new appearance when lined with a sheet of paper. Some people even use washi for wallpaper. Because washi wallpaper can be removed by spraying the surface with water, replacing an area that is stained or even redoing an entire room is relatively easy. Finally, the material is ideal for people who want to live in tune with their environment. Since it contains almost no chemical substances and is made from plant fibers, it can give a new look to furniture that would otherwise be thrown out, and it can be affixed to surfaces with a simple paste made from flour and water.

Though it is a traditional Japanese craft, washi provides a stylish accent to Western-style interiors. Tasteful place mats can be created by gently tearing the paper along the edges. Vases can be made from small bottles by covering them with washi. And shoji can be given a stained glass effect by replacing the conventional white paper with different colors and designs in each frame. Handmade paper costs more than machine made, but at about ¥3,000 ($27 at ¥110 to the dollar) a square meter, it is still a good deal for people who want a change in decor.

The versatility and warmth of washi mean that it is likely to retain its status as a favorite material for interior design.

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Copyright (c) 2005 Web Japan. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.