Stole / Kurotani Washi / Indigo Blue

This stole is made by cutting Kurotani washi (Japanese Paper) into thin strips and weaving twisted paper threads together with silk threads.
The raw material used for the washi is mainly Kouzo (paper mulberry). By processing it by hand, the natural strength is not lost, and each sheet of washi is carefully handmade in the traditional way, making it strong and supple.
Please note that there may be slight differences in color and shape because each piece is made by hand.

The strongest paper in Japan!?
Kurotani Washi is very strong and has the feature of being hard to tear even if you put a lot of force on it. Strong and tear-resistant, and suitable for long-term preservation.
This tough washi is indispensable in daily life and has been used for lanterns, Japanese umbrellas, shoji screens, and packaging since ancient times.
It has been recognized by the government as the strongest paper in Japan.

width : 35cm
Length：194cm
Weight：65g

Japanese paper
Silk

KUROTANI WASHI

"We make honest paper."

Throughout our long history, we have always kept this thought in mind. We make and finish each sheet of paper by hand, putting our heart and soul into it.
We do the obvious things carefully, step by step. This attitude has never changed and will never change.
We have always been uncompromisingly committed to honesty and authenticity.

ARTISAN STORY

Kurotani Japanese paper
Kurotani Japanese paper preserves the traditions and techniques of papermaking that have been handed down over 800 years in the Kurotani region. Kurotani Japanese paper is recognized by the government as the "strongest paper in Japan," and a variety of products are produced using this characteristic. Among them, scarves made from washi are light, strong, and comfortable to the touch, and are highly recommended.

ACHIEVEMENTS

・Designated as Intangible Cultural Asset by Kyoto Prefecture
・Recognized by the government as "the strongest paper in Japan

KUROTANI WASHI / KUROTANI JAPANESE PAPER

About 800 years ago / 1200s / Kamakura Period (1185–1333)

Kurotani washi is made in the mountain community of Ayabe, Kyoto, where tradition says descendants of defeated Heike warriors began papermaking to support themselves. Using kozo mulberry, the community preserves labor-intensive boiling, beating, cleaning and hand-forming methods that produced strong paper for screens, wrapping and ledgers.

In Japan, Kurotani is valued as a working paper rather than a fragile decorative material. Its long fibers give strength, and contemporary makers use it for calligraphy, lamps, bags, business cards and artworks that exploit the physical toughness of washi.

Much of the labor happens before a sheet is ever formed. Kozo fibers are inspected in water and tiny dark scars or pieces of bark are removed by hand one at a time. The quiet whiteness of the finished sheet is the result of an enormous amount of invisible sorting.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.