washiJune 23, 2026

Echizen Washi

Echizen Washi (越前和紙) is a washi produced in the Imatate district of Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, recognized as Japan's number one production area in terms of quality, variety, and quantity. Echizen Hosho and Echizen Torinoko paper are designated as Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Japan, and Echizen Torinoko paper was additionally registered under the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation for "Washi" on December 11, 2025.

History

The precise origin of Echizen Washi is not clearly known. A founding legend associated with the craft involves Kawakami Gozen, the patron deity of papermaking, enshrined at Okamoto Shrine in Otaki-cho, Echizen City. During the Muromachi period, a paper guild (kamiza) was established under the protection of Otaki-ji temple, formalizing the craft's organizational structure. During the Edo period, the Fukui Domain controlled Echizen Washi as an exclusive monopoly product, providing technical protection and production guidance to papermakers. In 1665, the use of the seal "Gojo Tenka-ichi" on Echizen Hosho was officially permitted. The 1684 work Yoshu-fushi records that Echizen Torinoko paper was regarded as the finest of all papers, and the 1715 encyclopaedia Wakan Sansai Zue described Echizen Washi as smooth in texture, easy to write on, firm in quality, and durable, calling it "worthy of being called the king of paper."

The craft also became closely linked to Japanese monetary history. The first domain currency (hansatsu) of the Fukui Domain was manufactured using Echizen Washi. In 1868, the Meiji new government adopted Echizen Washi for the Dajokan-satsu, Japan's unified government-issued currency replacing domain currencies; the currency was proposed by Mitsuo Okamoto (later known as Yuri Kimasa), a former Fukui Domain samurai. In 1875, the Ministry of Finance established the Shoshi (papermaking) Bureau, and Echizen Washi papermakers traveled to Tokyo to jointly research pure domestic banknote paper with bureau employees. In 1940, a branch office of the Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau's papermaking department was established in Iwamoto-cho, Echizen City. Paper produced through that bureau's lineage continues to be called kyokushi (bureau paper) today.

At the 1873 Vienna World Exposition, Echizen Washi products won the "Progress Prize." In February 2017, the award certificate and medal from that exposition were discovered in a storehouse in Echizen City. In 1968, Iwano Ichibei was recognized as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property — a Living National Treasure — for his skills in hosho papermaking. From 2018, companies in Echizen City began participating in the "RENEW" workshop tour event. In March 2020, six young Echizen Washi producers opened a limited-time online shop called "Washima."

Techniques & Production Process

Echizen Washi is produced using three distinct papermaking methods: nagashi-zuki (flow papermaking), tame-zuki (accumulation papermaking), and semi-mechanical papermaking. Nagashi-zuki and tame-zuki are traditional hand-papermaking techniques that differ in how the fiber suspension is handled on the papermaking screen, while semi-mechanical methods allow for broader production capacity. For a broader overview of these traditional techniques, see Japanese Washi Paper: The Complete Guide.

The main raw materials used in Echizen Washi production are kozo (paper mulberry), mitsumata, ganpi, hemp, cotton, and conifer pulp. Tororo-aoi (Abelmoschus manihot) is used as a supplementary material, functioning as a natural formation aid in the papermaking vat. Echizen Washi also developed a watermark technique known as kuro-sukashi (black watermark), originally developed for the purpose of preventing counterfeiting in banknote production. Other regional washi traditions employing comparable raw materials and hand-forming methods include Tosa Washi: Strong Handmade Paper from Kochi, Mino Washi: Fine Handmade Paper from Gifu, and Sekishu Washi: Ancient Handmade Paper from Shimane.

How to Identify Echizen Washi

According to the 1715 work Wakan Sansai Zue, Echizen Washi is characterized by a smooth texture, ease of writing, firm paper quality, and durability. Echizen Washi encompasses a wide variety of paper types — including Echizen Hosho and Echizen Torinoko — each with distinct surface and structural qualities corresponding to the raw materials and production method employed. The presence of a kuro-sukashi (black watermark) is a feature associated with papers produced for anti-counterfeiting applications in the craft's history. The range of types produced in Echizen, spanning fine ceremonial papers to functional papers, reflects its standing as the leading production area in Japan for variety of output. Comparable traditions can be found in Nishinouchi Washi: Strong Handmade Paper from Ibaraki and Ogawa Washi / Hosokawa Shi: Traditional Paper from Saitama.

The Craft Today

Echizen Washi continues to be produced primarily across five districts (Goka) of Echizen City: Otaki-cho, Iwamoto-cho, Oizu-cho, Shinzaike-cho, and Sadatomo-cho. The craft holds the distinction of being Japan's foremost washi production area by quality, variety, and quantity. Both the 8th generation Iwano Ichibei (deceased) and the 9th generation Iwano Ichibei hold the designation of Living National Treasure (holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property) for their skills in Echizen Washi papermaking. The 2nd and 3rd generation Iwano Heisaburo and Fukuda Tadao are designated as Fukui Prefecture Intangible Cultural Properties. On December 11, 2025, Echizen Torinoko paper was registered under the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation for "Washi." Producer engagement with the public has expanded in recent years through participation in the "RENEW" workshop tour event from 2018 and the establishment of the online shop "Washima" by six young producers in March 2020. Related regional washi traditions include Uchiyama Gami: Handmade Paper from Nagano, Awa Washi: Traditional Handmade Paper from Tokushima, Ozu Washi: Handmade Paper from Ehime, Inshu Washi: Handmade Paper from Tottori, and Yamakawa Washi: Traditional Paper from Fukuoka.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Echizen Washi produced?

Echizen Washi is produced in the Imatate district of Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture, primarily across five districts: Otaki-cho, Iwamoto-cho, Oizu-cho, Shinzaike-cho, and Sadatomo-cho.

What raw materials are used to make Echizen Washi?

The main raw materials are kozo, mitsumata, ganpi, hemp, cotton, and conifer pulp. Tororo-aoi (Abelmoschus manihot) is used as a supplementary material in the production process.

What papermaking methods are used in Echizen Washi?

Three methods are employed: nagashi-zuki (flow papermaking), tame-zuki (accumulation papermaking), and semi-mechanical papermaking.

What cultural designations does Echizen Washi hold?

Echizen Hosho and Echizen Torinoko paper are designated as Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Japan. Echizen Torinoko paper was additionally registered under the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage for "Washi" on December 11, 2025. The 8th and 9th generation Iwano Ichibei lineage are designated Living National Treasures for hosho papermaking skills.

What is the historical connection between Echizen Washi and Japanese currency?

The first domain currency (hansatsu) of the Fukui Domain was produced using Echizen Washi. In 1868, the Meiji government adopted Echizen Washi for the Dajokan-satsu, Japan's first unified government-issued currency. Echizen papermakers also collaborated with the Ministry of Finance Shoshi Bureau from 1875 to develop domestic banknote paper, and a branch office of the Printing Bureau's papermaking department was established in Iwamoto-cho in 1940.