May 25, 2014 - 1 min read

Largest washi paper in the world

Traditional techniques break a modern world record

By Jerome Lee

Community writer

Washi makers stirring the mulberry mixture.

One of many washi workers using a plank to hold up the giant screen used to make the washi.

A local Fukui journalist trying to get a better view.

Local Fukui journalists interviewing a famous manga artist, who will be painting on the washi.

Smiling for the camera after a job well done!

Journalists interviewing a washi worker.

The washi paper makers of a local washi company in Echizen city created what might be possibly be the largest washi paper in the world, and I was lucky enough to photograph the entire scene. Many local journalists and their cameramen were there to film the event, heaps of cameras, video recorders, notes and pens present to document the entire process. Having already seen the effort it takes to create just one small piece of washi paper, it's almost unthinkable that a washi paper of nearly 7 meters in length is attempted to be made. Numerous washi paper workers were doing the ol' heave ho, rocking the mulberry bark mixture to and fro as they ensured that the mixture is layered accurately on the gargantuan screen. Soon after finishing, journalists flocked to interview the crew. Please enjoy these pictures for this almost once-in-a-lifetime event.