《Characteristics》
Yastuo-machi is a town full of natural beauty. Long ago, it was a bustling business center located along the trade routes of the time. Trade with merchants from the adjacent Hida area (current Northern Gifu Prefecture in Central Japan), along with various local businesses brought prosperity to the town. These included silkworm farming, producing and selling of medicinal items, and of course, Yatsuo washi paper. Handmade in this town, Yatsuo washi has not traditionally been produced as paper to write on; rather, it has been crafted and developed as a base material for creating other products, such as sachets and carrier cases used in the medicinal products vending of the region.

During Yatstuo-matchi's most productive period back in the early Meiji Era (19th-20th century), many families made washi paper to earn a living during the cold winter when farming was suspended. There was even a common saying: "There is no family among the thousand in Yatsuo that does not make paper."

Handmade washi paper is generally thought to be delicate and easily torn. Washi paper made in the Ecchu (Central Japan) area, including Yatsuo washi, has set itself apart by being so durable that it can function as a base material to make other paper products.
The age-old papermaking tradition of Yatsuo washi has been preserved and passed on to today’s artisans, and long-lasting paper products made from it are appreciated and enjoyed by many.

[Ecchu washi is designated as "Traditional Craft Product" by Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry]
Information provided by Keijusha

Translation by: Misa Imanaka-Miller