Mino Washi: Japan's 1,300-Year-Old Paper
In brief
Mino washi is traditional handmade paper from the Mino area of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, where papermaking has continued for more than 1,300 years. It is made from long kozo (paper mulberry) fibers, which give it strength, softness and a fine, even texture. Honminoshi, the most strictly made Mino paper, is part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, inscribed in 2014 under "Washi, craftsmanship of traditional Japanese hand-made paper."
Mino washi is one of the best-known kinds of Japanese paper, and one of the oldest. Made in and around the city of Mino in Gifu Prefecture, it has been used for shoji screens, documents, lanterns and art for more than thirteen centuries. This guide explains what Mino washi is, how it is made, why its most traditional form is recognized by UNESCO, and how the paper is used today, including on the table.
What is Mino washi?
Washi means "Japanese paper." It is made from the inner bark of plants rather than wood pulp. The main fiber is kozo (paper mulberry); mitsumata and gampi are also used. Mino washi is washi made in the Mino region of Gifu, in central Japan.
Mino paper has a reputation for being thin yet strong, with fibers spread evenly across the sheet. That evenness is why it became a favorite for shoji, the sliding paper screens of Japanese houses: light passes through softly, without dark patches.
| Washi (traditional) | Ordinary machine-made paper | |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | Inner bark of kozo, mitsumata, gampi | Wood pulp |
| Fiber length | Long | Short |
| Made | By hand, sheet by sheet (or by machine for some modern washi) | Continuous machine process |
| Feel | Soft, fibrous, strong for its weight | Smooth, uniform, tears more easily |
1,300 years in Mino, Gifu
Papermaking in Mino goes back more than 1,300 years. Among the oldest paper documents preserved in Japan are census records written on paper from Mino in the early 8th century. The region had what papermaking needs: kozo growing nearby and clean, clear water from the Nagara River and its tributaries.
Over the centuries Mino became a major supplier of paper for shoji, official documents and everyday use, and the town grew around the trade. Today, Mino's old merchant district, with its distinctive udatsu firewalls between rooftops, still reflects the wealth that paper brought. The city continues to celebrate the craft, including through an annual festival of washi lanterns and art.
How washi is made
Handmade washi takes many steps, most of them done in cold water. In outline:
- Harvest and strip. Kozo branches are cut in winter, steamed, and the bark is stripped. The dark outer layer is scraped off to leave the pale inner bark.
- Cook. The inner bark is boiled in an alkaline solution to soften it and separate the fibers.
- Clean. The fibers are rinsed and every speck and bit of hard bark is picked out by hand. Mino is known for being especially careful at this step.
- Beat. The fibers are beaten into a soft mass, loosening them without cutting them short.
- Form the sheet. The fibers go into a vat of water with neri, a plant-based mucilage (traditionally from the root of tororo-aoi) that keeps them evenly suspended. The papermaker dips a screen, then scoops and rocks it repeatedly, a method called nagashi-zuki, so the fibers lock together in many directions.
- Press and dry. Wet sheets are stacked, pressed to remove water, then brushed onto boards to dry.
The rocking motion in nagashi-zuki is what makes washi both thin and strong. It is also why no two handmade sheets are exactly alike.
Honminoshi and UNESCO
Honminoshi ("true Mino paper") is the most strictly defined form of Mino washi. It must be made entirely by hand using traditional tools and methods, and from only three ingredients: kozo, water and neri. The kozo used is high-grade fiber traditionally grown in the Nasu area.
In 2014, UNESCO inscribed "Washi, craftsmanship of traditional Japanese hand-made paper" on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription covers three papermaking traditions: Honminoshi from Gifu, Sekishu-banshi from Shimane and Hosokawa-shi from Saitama. What is recognized is the craft itself, the skills and knowledge handed down in these communities, rather than any single product.
Most Mino washi on the market is not Honminoshi. It is still Mino paper, often handmade or made with a mix of hand and machine processes, and it carries much of the same character.
Washi in daily life today
Washi is not a museum material. It is used today for:
- Interiors: shoji screens, lamps and lanterns, wall coverings.
- Writing and art: calligraphy, printmaking, letters and notebooks.
- Conservation: thin, strong washi is widely used by museums and libraries around the world to conserve books, documents and artworks.
- Gifts and wrapping: envelopes, gift wrap, and the noshi paper that covers formal gifts.
One question comes up often: is washi waterproof? No. Plain washi is paper, and water will soften it. Some washi is treated or coated for specific uses, and that is where urushi comes in.
Washi × urushi: a placemat for the table
Urushi, the natural lacquer of Japan, has long been applied to paper as well as wood. At THE URUSHI, made in Kyoto by Wakabayashi Butsugu Mfg. Co., Ltd. (founded 1830), we pair Mino washi with urushi for a placemat. The urushi is heat-cured onto the paper, turning it a soft black while the fibers stay visible. In our product notes, it is this finish that gives the washi water resistance and strength for daily use, and the placemat can be washed by hand with water (not in the dishwasher). It measures 45 × 31 cm, sized for a full place setting. (For more on the lacquer itself, see What is urushi?)
The placemat is part of our Kickstarter project, which brings four materials together under one urushi finish: stainless steel from Tsubame-Sanjo, wood shaped in Ishikawa, stone rests made by INASE in Aichi, and Mino washi. The placemat is included in the Four Elements Set and is also available as an add-on; it is not part of the Full Set. Rewards are expected to ship around March 2027.
See the washi placemat on Kickstarter
Looking for a gift? Washi fits the first-anniversary theme of paper; see paper anniversary gift ideas with washi. To use a placemat well, see our Japanese table setting guide, or read more about the project on our Kickstarter page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mino washi used for?
Mino washi is best known for shoji screens, thanks to its thin, even sheets. It is also used for lanterns and lamps, calligraphy and printmaking, stationery, gift wrap, and conservation of books and artworks.
What is the difference between washi and regular paper?
Washi is made from the long inner-bark fibers of plants such as kozo, often by hand, while regular paper is machine-made from short wood-pulp fibers. The long, interlocking fibers make washi softer, more textured and strong for its weight.
What is Honminoshi?
Honminoshi is the most strictly defined Mino washi, made entirely by hand with traditional methods from only kozo, water and neri. Its techniques were inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014, alongside Sekishu-banshi and Hosokawa-shi.
Is washi paper waterproof?
No. Plain washi is paper, and water will soften it. Some washi is treated or coated for particular uses; for example, a urushi finish can make washi better suited to daily use at the table.
Where can I see washi being made?
In Mino, Gifu, the Mino Washi Museum offers exhibits and hands-on papermaking, and the old town has paper shops worth a walk. Other washi regions in Japan, such as Echizen in Fukui, also welcome visitors. Check opening days before you go.