Ecchu Washi (Japanese paper)

“Yatsuo washi” in Toyama City, “Gokayama washi” in Nanto City, and “Birudan washi” in Asahi Town are collectively called Ecchu washi (Ecchu Japanese paper). The history is long enough to find the name of “Ecchu kokushi (Japanese paper produced in Ecchu) in the archives of Shoso-in Repository in Nara. The heyday of the paper was Edo period (1603-1867), when main products were the wrapping paper for medicine in Yatsuo, hanshi (writing paper) and nakaori-gami (writing paper folded in the middle) in Gokayama, which were presented to the Kaga Domain feudal lord as a tribute, and shoji-gami (paper for shoji sliding paper screen) in Birudan. Today, dyed paper, letter paper, envelops, Japanese paper crafts, artistic craftworks and other products are found in these regions. The greatest charm of the hand-made paper is its characteristic texture and elegant beauty. It is also a fun to try creating hand-made paper on your own. You can bring it back home as a souvenir.