"CRAFT TOURISM ECHIZEN"　Connect papermaking and paper lovers, and bring bustle to the village of Echizen washi

Connecting papermaking and paper lovers, bringing bustle to Echizen Washi Village

The Yanase Ryozo Paper Mill is located on the approach to Okafuto Otaki Shrine, which enshrines the god of papermaking. When I was looking inside the RYOZO SHOP, the shop manager, Mr. Yasuhiro Yanase, said, "If you don't mind, why don't you take a look at the factory?" Behind the time-honored glass windows, five women, including Kyoko Yanase, the third-generation owner, are busy making paper.

Since ancient times, he has been involved in wrapping paper and wrapping paper for Japanese confectionery shops, and has been specializing in thin and supple Japanese paper that is said to be Ryozo when it comes to thin paper. Among them, "Kata Rakusui Paper", which was revived after a gap of more than 30 years, is a unique technique that can only be made by Kyoko.

“I put the mold on the washi paper before it dried and sprinkled it with water droplets.

Where Yasuhiro-san points his finger, delicate Japanese paper is decorated like lace. The pattern of the mold and the unexpected pattern created by the water droplets were intricately mixed to create a once-in-a-lifetime beauty. It is easy to understand why people who catch their eye and stop by the shop are fascinated by the rich expression of Japanese paper and end up staying for a long time.

“Rather than a shop, this is a place where you can casually stop by while walking around town. It’s a place where you can enjoy Echizen washi while looking at the washi at various factories, looking into the workshops, talking to the craftsmen, and spending time freely. is"

One of the reasons why people stay longer is the small rise that makes them happy to take a break. While enjoying origami with Echizen washi, you can see proposals for incorporating mold Rakusui paper and crafts of Echizen washi made by artists into your life.

In 2020, Yasuhiro's activities will further expand. Established his own paper-making instructor qualification and started training human resources to experience paper-making at local children's parties and events. This is to increase the number of people with knowledge of papermaking and spread the appeal of washi to a wider audience.

In addition, since there are craftsmen with licenses as chefs and dieticians at the factory, a project of a craftsman cafe utilizing an empty house on the approach has also started. While working as craftsmen, we will create a path that can make use of their special skills.

“I would like to make this a place where people who like Japanese paper gather, where customers can easily interact with the craftsmen.”

We want to make Echizen Washi more accessible by connecting paper-making and paper-lovers. The origin of this thought is the smiles of paper lovers who stare at Japanese paper with sparkling eyes.

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