About Hosokawa Shi (Hosokawa Handmade Paper)
Hosokawa Shi is handmade Japanese paper produced in Ogawa Town, Hiki District, Saitama Prefecture. With a history dating to the Muromachi period, it is known as thin yet strong high-quality paper made from ganpi, mitsumata, and kozo fibers. In 2014, it was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list as 'Washi—Craftsmanship of Hand-made Japanese Paper' together with Hon Mino-shi and Sekishu Hanshi. Highly regarded domestically and internationally for cultural property restoration and preservation of ancient texts, the clear streams of Ogawa Town and skilled papermakers' techniques are concentrated in each sheet.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
Materials
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 埼玉伝統工芸会館（産地にご確認ください） hands-on experience