I studied in Kyoto, and I became independent in Yamagata. I would like to share the charm of washi in familiar forms

Gassan Washi Kamiya Sakuzaemon  Ms. Naoko Shibuya

Encounter with washi—traditional Japanese paper

Ms. Naoko Shibuya always loved crafting, and she wished to someday work as a craftswoman. Once she tried pottery, but then she realized that she was not good at modeling three-dimensional objects. Also, she thought that, since there are so many pottery apprentices, the tradition of pottery would certainly continue without her. Instead, she wondered, which tradition is likely to perish in the near future? What art form do we need consciously to preserve? She figured out that it must be washi. So, she participated for a month in the papermaking workshop at the Mino Washi Museum. She truly enjoyed making washi. Shortly after that positive experience, in a newspaper she saw an advertisement about the springtime opening of a Washi Papermaking Department at the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto. She felt as if it were her destiny, and she immediately applied for entrance to the college. At the college she learned the basics of washi-making from Kurotani washi instructors (Kurotani is in Kyoto). Even after graduating from the college, she continued to learn in Kurotani for further nine years. She mastered various techniques such as making small items using watermark paper and washi. In 2017, she moved to Nishikawamachi in Yamagata Prefecture.

Encounter with Nishikawamachi and Mr. Miura

“Actually, nine years ago I visited Mr. Miura of Gassan washi in Nishikawamachi right after I graduated from the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto. My father is from Tamugimata in Tsuruokashi, which is close to Nishikawamachi. So, I was familiar with Gassan washi. But when I visited Mr. Miura, and asked him to take me on as an apprentice, he replied that he was not in a position to do that then. So I returned to Kyoto, and continued to learn making washi there.”
After nine years in Kurotani, Kyoto, at a reunion called the National Washi Craftspeople’s gathering, Ms. Shibuya met Mr. Miura again. He said that he had just started looking for an apprentice for Gassan washi, and he asked her to come to Nishikawamachi.
“Come to think of it now, it was a good thing that I didn’t come here right after college. When I came to take up Gassan washi, I was already skillful in papermaking. After all, that might have been a part of Mr. Miura’s plan.”
With that, she laughed.

鮮やかな色の揉み紙に型押しのカード入れShe makes everything, including the patterns
レターセット「雲」とポチ袋 

Making small items, and how they are sold

When Ms. Shibuya was in Kurotani, Kyoto, she was one of the members of the union. Therefore, she couldn’t freely send out information about her products. However, since she arrived in Nishikawamachi, not only has she made various washi items, but she has also kept expanding her sales channel under the trade name Kamiya Sakuzaemon.
“One of the craftspeople in the Denshokan makes kokeshi—traditional Japanese wooden dolls—in his atelier Kikumaro Kokeshi. He is famous for his kinokona kokeshi (mushroom-like doll). He introduced me to a specialty store called Irias. Then they gave me a chance to exhibit my work at an exhibition called Hotondo Kinoko (Mostly Mushroom) in the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store.”
Furthermore, she sells washi items such as lettersets and card holders to Shobido in Yamagata Station Building, in Hiroshige Museum in Tendo, and in a new hotel called Suiden Terrasse in Tsuruoka.
“Not many products of mine are on the market yet. I enjoy experimenting on my own. I make one-of-a-kind color paper, when I want to.”
She is modest when talking to us about her products. However, we are sure you would want to buy them as soon as you saw the beautiful colors and her playful style, and feel the sturdy texture of washi.

キノコの形を縫いつけた簀
キノコのレターセット

A bamboo mat with patterns that she uses to make watermarks of mushroom on washi

I want washi-making to be more rooted in this area

When we asked Ms. Shibuya how she wanted to grow her Gassan washi tradition in the future, she answered with enthusiasm.
“It is still not well-known. Even in this town, there are children who don’t know that we are making Gassan washi. So, first of all, I need to teach local children the charm of washi. Then eventually, I want to send the message all over Yamagata Prefecture that Gassan washi papermaking is here. Ms. Mayumi Seino makes very nice washi lamps, and advises us how to use washi in our daily life. I hope to improve the quality of Gassan washi as a brand, whether that’s the materials or the finished products.”


Ms. Naoko Shibuya

Ms. Naoko Shibuya

Born in Osaka. When she worked as a clinical laboratory engineer, she was inspired by an advertisement about the establishment of the Washi Papermaking Department at the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto, and decided to learn washi papermaking there. After graduation, she visited Mr. Kazuyuki Miura of Gassan washi, but he couldn’t take her on as an apprentice back then. So, she pursued her papermaking career in Kurotani, Kyoto. However, in 2017 she met Mr. Miura again. That time, he invited her to Nishikawamachi to establish her atelier as a washi craftsperson inside the traditional craft museum called Denshokan. Her trade name is Kamiya Sakuzaemon, which she took from her father’s business name. She actively produces small washi items, and sells them.

Instagram:Kamiya Sakuzaemon


Kamiya Sakuzaemon (in Denshokan)

    Ms. Shibuya produces handmade Gassan washi and small washi items in her atelier, surrounded by nature, and from which you can see Mt. Gassan and Asahi Mountain Range of Yamagata.

  • 4110 Ooisawa, Nishikawamachi, Nishimurayamagun, Yamagata 990-0721, Japan
  • Open:9:00-16:30 (April to November), 10:00-16:00 (December to March)
  • Closed:Monday (If Monday is a National Holiday, it is closed on Tuesday.)
  • TEL:0237-76-2112
  • FAX:0237-76-2088
  • HP https://www.facebook.com/densyokan
Kamiya Sakuzaemon

Ms. Naoko Shibuya’s washi items are on sale in Kizuki.Japan ONLINE SHOP

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