Washi is the oldest style of making paper known to Japan. It's over 1,300 years old, having come to Japan from China in the 7th century along with Buddhism. This video, filmmaker Kuroyanagi Takashi, shows exactly how it's done.
With his still, calm shots, Takashi emphasizes the natural connection crucial to washi. Often made from a type of Japanese shrub known as the gampi, the bark is removed and then stretched, cleaned, and and flattened out. Fermented hibiscus root is added, creating a paste which is then spread out evenly on a bamboo mesh screen. These sheets are left out to dry in sun, and thus paper is made.
All in all, this is most relaxing six minutes you'll spend on the Internet today.
Source: The Kids Should See This
David Grossman is a staff writer for PopularMechanics.com. He's previously written for The Verge, Rolling Stone, The New Republic and several other publications. He's based out of Brooklyn.
