washiJune 27, 2026

Mino Washi

Mino Washi (美濃和紙), also called Mino-gami, is a washi produced in the Mino region of southern Gifu Prefecture. The craft encompasses several distinct categories: Hon-Mino-shi, a fully traditional handmade paper; Mino Tesuki Washi, handmade washi based on Hon-Mino-shi techniques; and Mino Kikai-suki Washi, a mechanically produced variant. Mino Tesuki Washi was designated as a Traditional Craft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) on May 22, 1985.

History

The origins of paper production in the Mino region extend to at least 702 CE, when census register paper made in Mino Province is cited as among the oldest paper in Japan, produced under the Taiho Code alongside paper from Chikuzen Province and Buzen Province. During the Nara period, an official paper-making facility operated at the location of the Mino Province government in Fuwa District, present-day Tarui Town, making use of the clear water of Tarui spring; this site is regarded as the birthplace of Mino paper. Production subsequently shifted from the three districts centered on the provincial government — Fuwa, Motosu, and Atsumi — to the lower reaches of the Itadori River.

During the Muromachi period, six-day markets were held in Mino, and the paper was distributed throughout the country by Omi merchants. In the Edo period, high-quality washi was produced in large quantities under a monopoly system; Mino paper was described as "the finest" in the encyclopedic work Wakan Sansai Zue and as "the best shoji paper type" in Shinsen Kamikan. Paper produced in Terao — present-day Terao, Seki City — was especially noted during this period. Mino washi also served as the primary material for several other Gifu traditional crafts, including Gifu lanterns (岐阜提灯), Gifu parasols (岐阜和傘), and Gifu fans (岐阜うちわ).

From the Meiji to Taisho periods, the number of Mino paper production households centered on Mino City reached approximately 3,700. On April 15, 1969, the technique of Hon-Mino-shi was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, with the Hon-Mino-shi Preservation Society (本美濃紙保存会) certified as the preservation organization. On November 26, 2014, Hon-Mino-shi was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage under the collective inscription "Washi, craftsmanship of traditional Japanese hand papermaking," together with Sekishu Hanshi from Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture and Hosokawa-shi from Ogawa Town and Higashi-Chichibu Village, Saitama Prefecture. The Mino Washi Akari Art Museum opened in August 2005.

Techniques & Production Process

Mino Washi encompasses production methods ranging from fully traditional hand papermaking to mechanized processes. Hon-Mino-shi, the most strictly regulated category, requires kozo (paper mulberry) as its sole raw material, specifically using white skin (白皮) processing. The boiling stage (煮熟) must employ wood ash or soda ash, while chemical bleaching and the addition of fillers are prohibited. Beating (叩解) must be carried out by hand-beating or an equivalent method.

For sheet formation, Hon-Mino-shi requires tororo-aoi (Abelmoschus manihot) as the neri formation aid, and papermaking must use the nagashi-zuki (flow-forming) technique with a bamboo screen (竹簀) employing either the kagitsuke or sogitsuke method. Drying is carried out exclusively by board-drying (板干し). Mino Tesuki Washi, which is based on these same techniques, may use non-wood fibers from domestically produced kozo, gampi, or other plant skins, also employing the nagashi-zuki technique, and must be produced within Mino City. Mino Kikai-suki Washi mechanizes the hand-papermaking techniques and must contain at least some non-wood fiber; it is produced using machinery capable of achieving quality close to hand-papermaking, and its production area extends to Mino City, Gifu City, and Seki City. This mechanized category also includes special-use papers such as insulating paper, conductive paper, and non-combustible paper.

For a broader overview of Japanese hand papermaking traditions, see Japanese Washi Paper: The Complete Guide.

How to Identify Mino Washi

The three main categories of Mino Washi are distinguished by their production standards as defined by the Mino Washi Brand Council. Hon-Mino-shi must use only Daigo-Nasu kozo (white skin) as raw material, follow completely traditional production methods, and be produced within Mino City. Mino Tesuki Washi must use only non-wood fibers from domestically produced kozo, gampi, or other plant skins, and must employ the nagashi-zuki technique. Mino Kikai-suki Washi must contain at least some non-wood fiber and be produced in Mino City, Gifu City, or Seki City. In terms of physical dimensions, Mino paper measures approximately 27–29 cm in height and approximately 40–41 cm in width; larger sheets are designated Dai-Mino (大美濃). A booklet formed by folding Mino paper vertically in half is referred to as Mino-ban, while one made from Dai-Mino paper is called Dai-Mino-ban. Notably, the JIS B series paper size standard used in Japan derives from the Mino-ban format, and therefore differs from the ISO B series defined by the International Organization for Standardization. Hon-Mino-shi accounts for approximately 10% of total Mino washi production.

The Craft Today

Mino Washi continues to be produced across multiple cities in Gifu Prefecture. Hon-Mino-shi, accounting for approximately 10% of total Mino washi production, is produced exclusively within Mino City under the oversight of the Hon-Mino-shi Preservation Society. Mino Tesuki Washi is likewise produced within Mino City, while Mino Kikai-suki Washi production extends to Gifu City and Seki City. The Mino Washi Akari Art Museum, which opened in August 2005, reflects the craft's continued cultural presence in the region. Mino Washi, as part of the broader washi tradition, holds multiple designations: Hon-Mino-shi is recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property, and Mino Tesuki Washi is designated as a METI traditional craft. Traditional craft enthusiasts can view and purchase Mino Washi at Aoyama Square (伝統工芸青山スクエア), located at 8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, which is operated by the General Incorporated Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries and is open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 except during the New Year holiday period. Mino Washi shares its UNESCO inscription with Sekishu Washi from Shimane Prefecture and Hosokawa-shi from Saitama Prefecture, two related washi traditions within the same collective recognition. Other notable regional washi traditions include Echizen Washi from Fukui, Awa Washi from Tokushima, Tosa Washi from Kochi, Nishinouchi Washi from Ibaraki, Inshu Washi from Tottori, Uchiyama Gami from Nagano, Yamakawa Washi from Fukuoka, and Ozu Washi from Ehime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Hon-Mino-shi and Mino Tesuki Washi?

Hon-Mino-shi is the most strictly regulated category, requiring exclusively Daigo-Nasu kozo (white skin) as raw material and fully traditional production methods, and must be produced within Mino City. Mino Tesuki Washi is handmade washi based on the techniques of Hon-Mino-shi, but may use non-wood fibers from domestically produced kozo, gampi, or other plant skins, and offers a wider variety of types according to intended use.

When was Mino Washi recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage?

On November 26, 2014, Hon-Mino-shi was inscribed as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage "Washi, craftsmanship of traditional Japanese hand papermaking," together with Sekishu Hanshi from Shimane Prefecture and Hosokawa-shi from Saitama Prefecture.

What raw materials are used in producing Hon-Mino-shi?

Hon-Mino-shi must use only kozo (paper mulberry), specifically Daigo-Nasu kozo processed as white skin, as its raw material. Chemical bleaching and the addition of fillers are prohibited.

How old is the tradition of paper production in the Mino region?

The oldest documented reference to Mino paper dates to 702 CE, when census register paper made in Mino Province is cited as among the oldest paper in Japan, produced under the Taiho Code. An official paper-making facility also operated in the region during the Nara period.

What is the connection between Mino paper and modern Japanese paper sizes?

The JIS B series paper size standard used in Japan is derived from the Mino-ban format — a booklet made by folding Mino paper vertically in half. As a result, the Japanese JIS B series differs from the ISO B series defined by the International Organization for Standardization.