is a style of
paper that was first made in
Japan.
Washi is commonly made using fibers from the bark of the
gampi tree, the
mitsumata shrub (
Edgeworthia chrysantha), or the
paper mulberry, but also can be made using
bamboo,
hemp,
rice, and
wheat. The word "washi" comes from
wa 'Japanese' and
shi 'paper', and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner. Washi is one of the UNESCO’s
Intangible cultural heritage objects.