washiJuly 06, 2026

Ozu Washi

Ozu Washi (大洲和紙) is a washi produced in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture.

History

Ozu Washi is listed among the traditional crafts of Japan documented by the General Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries (一般財団法人伝統的工芸品産業振興協会), which operates the Aoyama Square craft promotion center at 8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. The Aoyama Square platform, which introduces traditional crafts designated in each prefecture of Japan and allows searching by region and industry type, has been active since at least 2009. Ozu Washi belongs to a broader tradition of Japanese handmade papermaking that includes regional varieties such as Tosa Washi, produced in neighboring Kochi Prefecture, and Awa Washi from Tokushima Prefecture.

Techniques & Production Process

Specific details regarding the techniques and production process of Ozu Washi are not available in the current source material. As a form of washi, it belongs to the broader tradition of Japanese handmade papermaking. For context on shared washi techniques, see the Japanese Washi Paper: The Complete Guide. Related regional traditions employing comparable handmaking methods include Echizen Washi from Fukui, Mino Washi from Gifu, and Sekishu Washi from Shimane.

How to Identify Ozu Washi

Specific identifying characteristics of Ozu Washi are not documented in the current source material. As a regional washi variety, it shares the general category of handmade Japanese paper. Other handmade papers with documented identifying traits include Nishinouchi Washi from Ibaraki and Ogawa Washi from Saitama.

The Craft Today

Ozu Washi is recognized within the network of traditional crafts promoted by the General Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries, whose Aoyama Square venue in Tokyo serves as a national platform for such crafts. The foundation's Aoyama Square is open from 11:00 to 19:00 year-round, except during the New Year holiday period. In 2026, the Aoyama Square website became multilingual, and a dedicated resource introducing traditional craft artists — titled "Japan Traditional Crafts Artists Navi" (日本の伝統工芸士ナビ) — was also published. Ozu Washi sits within a network of Shikoku-region washi traditions; Tosa Washi from Kochi and Awa Washi from Tokushima represent comparable craft lineages in the same island region. Other sibling traditions across Japan include Inshu Washi from Tottori, Yamakawa Washi from Fukuoka, Uchiyama Gami from Nagano, and Mino Washi from Gifu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ozu Washi?

Ozu Washi (大洲和紙) is a handmade paper produced in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, and is recognized as a traditional craft of Japan.

Where is Ozu Washi produced?

Ozu Washi is produced in Ozu, Ehime Prefecture, located on the island of Shikoku in western Japan.

Where can Ozu Washi be seen or purchased in Tokyo?

The General Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries operates Aoyama Square at 8-1-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, which introduces and sells traditional crafts from across Japan, including those from Ehime Prefecture. The venue is open from 11:00 to 19:00, except during the New Year holiday period.

How does Ozu Washi relate to other Japanese washi traditions?

Ozu Washi is one of several regional washi varieties documented by the General Foundation for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries. Other washi traditions from the Shikoku and western Japan region include Tosa Washi from Kochi and Awa Washi from Tokushima.

Is information about Ozu Washi available in languages other than Japanese?

In 2026, the Aoyama Square website, which documents Ozu Washi among other traditional crafts, became multilingual, increasing the accessibility of information for non-Japanese speakers.