The latest clip released by the Great Big Story showed around the famous Hidaka Washi factory in Japan which is known for creating the world’s thinnest paper. The description of the video states, “In Japan, one company is taking paper thinner than it’s ever been before. Hidaka Washi Ltd. creates paper as thin as human skin, using methods that date back a thousand years. The paper is then sent to museums and libraries around the world—including the British Museum and the Library of Congress—and is used to restore and protect books and works of art.”
The company claims that their work is focused on the theme of “Washi” and not just papermaking. This is also reflected in the name of the firm. The about section of the company states, “Hidaka Washi originated as the TENGU Export Paper Union in 1949 with 10 paper-making craftsmen living in a valley called Kusaka. At that time, hand-made tengu was popular for export as typewriter paper.”
Hidaka Washi has maintained the traditional handmade papermaking technique. The technique has not only been maintained but also improved and refined over time with the use of latest technologies. The firm claims, “Since the era of handmade Japanese Paper, we have concentrated on making washi by applying traditional skills and methods to meet the demands of the times.” Watch the video below to see how the thinnest paper in the world is created.
