Tosa Washi Papermaking — 1,000-Year Craft

Tosa washi is handmade paper produced in Kochi using techniques that date back over 1,000 years. The paper is made from kozo (mulberry bark), mitsumata, and gampi fibers, harvested locally, steamed, beaten, and formed sheet by sheet in cold river water. The result is paper of extraordinary strength, translucency, and longevity — Tosa washi is used for calligraphy, woodblock printing, conservation work, and even currency (Japanese banknotes contain Tosa washi fibers).

The Ino Paper Museum (Ino-cho, 20 minutes west of Kochi) is the best place to experience Tosa washi. The museum has exhibits on papermaking history, displays of antique papers, and daily workshops where visitors can make their own sheet of washi by hand. The process — scooping pulp, shaking the frame, pressing, and drying — takes about 45 minutes. Your finished paper can be mailed home or taken as a souvenir.