《Characteristics》
Najio-shi is made from Gampi (Diplomorpha sikokiana), which is known as one of the main washi materials as well as Kozo (mulberry) and Mitsumata (Oriental paperbush). Wild gampi belonging to a deciduous shrubs, members of thymelaeaceae, which grows in the southwestern intermountain region from Izu, Shizuoka Pref. (eastern limit) to Kaga, Ishikawa Pref. (northern limit). Due to their slow growth, it is difficult to cultivate them for profitable concern so that paper-makers still depend on wild Gampi.

Papers made with only smooth, translucent, and viscous fibers of Gampi barks are distinguished for their sheen and smooth surface.
While Kouzo papers were introduced from China, Gampi papers were originated in Japan. Moreover, Najio-shi draws attention for its unexceptional, unique and oldest papermaking method called tamesuki, which was not introduced in other parts of Japan.

There are only few regions where craftsmen make paper with Gampi only: Nowadays, mixing other materials with Gampi is more popular. Najio, Nishinomiya city, is one of those few which preserve the traditional style to make pure Gampi papers, since the beginning of 17th century.

Papermaking starts from scooping up fibers into fune (a huge stream bed made with pine woods) with the method called tamesuki. Craftsman mixes the local soil with Gampi fibers. Combination of Gampi fiber features and soil resulted the strong heat and insect-resistant Najiro-shis. They have been used for particular objects, maniai-shi for byobus (folding screens), and fusumas (sliding doors) and hakuuchi-genishi for applying gold and silver leaves

For those reasons, Najiro-shi was designated as an important intangible cultural property for preserving the traditional making process with Gampi.


[Officially designated important intangible cultural property]
Information provided by: Nishinomiya Tourism Association/ Nishinomiya City Museum
Translation by: Aki Tobayama, reviewed by Eri Hara