Producing high quality paper during the coldest of times; cold paper creation at the Tanaka Paper Manufacturing Center of Ōe.

Translated from the original article at: http://www.ryoutan.co.jp/news/2012/02/12/004768.html

February 12, 2012

Mr. Tanaka rhythmically inserts and moves the paper.

The production of Tango style Japanese paper (Washi) continues in Futamata, Ōe Town (Fukuchiyama city). At the Tanaka Paper Manufacturing Center, this season is welcomed as the peak period for the creation of paper. During this period of severe cold, washi of exceptionally high quality is carefully produced (through cold paper processing), one sheet at a time.

The Tanaka Paper Manufacturing Center has been in business since the Edo period, using the town's own paper mulberry. While the paper is created year round, the months of January and February are when raw material production and cold paper processing overlap, making it the busiest work period.　

Toshihiro (Age 50) is the 5th generation from the Tanaka family to deal with cold water paper manufacturing at Tanaka Paper Manufacturing Center. Stretching the paper in a vat of water, the fiber of the leaf mulberry dissolves. The Aibika plant is placed into the water, creating a paste. The mulberry is then inserted and mounted on a sudare, creating the paper.

　

Skillfully controlling the equipment, a "Zabu zabu zabu" of splashing water can be heard inside the container. 200 to 300 papers are piled in a bed atop each other. Afterwards, a jack is used to press out the excess liquid, and the papers are individually left out to dry in the sun.　

The cold water production will continue until the end of March. Mr. Tanaka said "Production during the frigidness of this year's winter was easy. Although my hands are freezing, I have the piece of mind that I created some excellent paper." Cold water processing is used to create paper for such things as a certain type of Fusuma and picture scrolls. It's said to often be used for restoring pre-existing cultural artifacts.

Original text

厳寒期こそ良質の和紙　大江の田中製紙工業所で寒漉き

2012年2月12日

写真＝リズミカルにすげたを動かす田中さん

福知山市内で手漉き和紙（丹後和紙）作りを続ける大江町二俣、田中製紙工業所で、この季節ならではの「寒漉き」が最盛期を迎えている。厳寒期に漉く和紙は特に良質で、一枚一枚丁寧に仕上げられている。

江戸時代から続く田中製紙工業所では、町内産のコウゾを使い、年中和紙を作っているが、１、２月は和紙の原料作りと寒漉きが重なり、最も忙しい時期となる。

寒漉きは工業所５代目の田中敏弘さん（５０）が手掛ける。水を張った漉きぶね（水槽）の中に、コウゾの繊維を溶かした液と植物のトロロアオイの粘液を入れ、すだれを乗せた道具・すげたを使って漉いていく。

すげたを巧みに操ると、「ざぶ、ざぶ、ざぶ」と漉きぶねの中が波打つ。漉き上がった紙は紙床の上に乗せ、２００－３００枚ほど重ねたあと、ジャッキで圧力をかけて水を切り、一枚ずつ天日干しする。

寒漉きは３月上旬まで続く。田中さんは「今年の冬は寒くて作業がしやすい。手は冷たいですが、良質の紙が作れるので安心です」と話す。寒漉きで作られた紙は障壁画や軸物などの文化財の修復に使われることが多いという。