The endeavours to improve sustainability and treat our planet with care entail very different options and materials. One of these is Japan paper. This is not a new-fangled technology, but a traditional cultural asset. In addition to being environmentally friendly. Clothing made from Japan paper has a whole range of other advantages. This blog article takes a closer look at the delicate fibres.
What exactly is Japan paper?
Many people know Japan paper as washi, where ‘wa’ translates as Japanese and ‘shi’ stands for paper. It is also sometimes referred to as rice paper, although this is rather misleading. Washi can be used to make a whole range of things - even clothing such as socks.
The exact papermaking process varies from person to person and depends on various factors. In some cases, the knowledge has been passed down for generations. Plant fibres, such as the kozo bark of the Japanese mulberry or the bast fibres of the gampi paper tree, have served as the basis for the paper that has been produced for over a thousand years.
After the bast fibres have been extracted and cleaned (sometimes several times), a pulp is enriched with them. In some cases, a supporting plant mucilage is added before the pulpy mass is further processed into paper by scooping and pressing. The process is still partly done by hand - washi is even a UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage of humanity. In addition to manual labour, industrial production methods have also become established. The traditionally handmade Japan paper, which is both flexible and robust, is a small art form. It has little to do with mass production and honours nature in a special way.
Where is Japan paper used?
Washi has many positive properties. These include, for example, its pleasant feel and breathability, which is particularly important for skin-friendly clothing. As such, it protects against UV light and insect bites despite being translucent. In addition, it hardly creases. Different processing methods and compositions also allow for different results. There is a growing market for accessoires and shoes made from Japan paper, for example, as they are light and breathable. Washi is also easy to shape as a classic paper, which benefits origami fans and calligraphy enthusiasts who use it to create true works of art. In addition to these applications, Japan paper is also used in many pieces of furniture and lamps.
What makes Washi sustainable?
There are various reasons that make Japan paper a sustainable product. These include the following:
- High quality: If you opt for high quality clothing, you will need to buy new items less often. High-quality washi socks, such as those from TOYO SENI CO.,LTD last a long time as they are robust despite their light weight.
- Environmentally friendly paper production: Traditional washi production does not involve the addition of bleaching agents or other strong chemicals. The process also uses very little energy.
- Renewable raw materials: The use of various plant fibres, such as the kozo bark of the mulberry as bast fibres, means that no resources are irretrievably lost. They usually grow back quite quickly and can be used for other papers. Research is also currently being carried out into the possibility of utilising the branches of apple and cherry trees for paper production. As these are otherwise a pure waste product, the approach is particularly sustainable. This could also reduce costs.
- Degradability: As the materials used are natural products, they are generally biodegradable - depending on other components, of course.
By choosing light and handmade Japan paper - whether as a piece of clothing, furniture or paper for origami, calligraphy and the like - you are choosing to do the environment a favour.
Faedah Collection: Sustainability looks good on everyone
More than a tenth of global CO₂ emissions are caused by the fashion industry. This places an enormous burden on our planet. These figures are particularly dramatic because a large proportion of the clothing produced is thrown away and often incinerated as a result.
The Faedah Collection wants to help change these figures. That's why you can find responsible, timeless and high-quality clothing and accessories in our online shop. These can be made from washi, but also from other materials. Our aim is to set an example against thoughtless consumption and instead provide favourite items that you can enjoy for a long time.
A return to the essentials is particularly easy with the traditional Japan paper. Pleasantly fluffy alpaca wool is also an excellent natural material for harmonising nature and people a little more.