History of Tengujō Paper
The place of origin of Tengujō Washi paper was Kochi Prefecture, said to be the birthplace of paper in Japan. In the Muromachi period (1336 to 1573), this paper was already being made, and in the Edo period (1603 to 1867), it had various uses such as sketches for woodblock prints, tracing paper, and also in mounting and backing.
Over time, these thin papers became larger and of better quality. In 1880, the experimental forming of large-size Tengujō Washi was successfully made. In the following year, Tengujō Washi, with a thickness of 0.03 millimeters, entered into the national market. It was recognized as thin, suitable for writing with ink, and durable enough for typewriting.
In this way, Tengujō Washi was first used as typewriter paper, but was also used for napkins, wrapping paper for precious stones, coffee filters, and lens cleaning paper. Tengujō Washi started being exported and became known as an ultimately thin paper worldwide.
However, after World War Ⅱ, the decrease of typewriter usage and the invention of machine-made paper led to a decrease in the number of craftsmen.
Recently, however, attention has been paid to the fact that Japanese historical documents and paintings have preserved much longer at higher levels than anything else in other countries. Tengujō Washi has become internationally recognized as the finest paper for restoration of cultural properties.
Tengujo Washi is an archival-grade, acid-free paper with a neutral pH, making it especially suitable for museum collections and precision conservation work. As a result, world-renown cultural properties such as Michelangelo’s wall paintings in the Vatican and works preserved in the Louvre in Paris began to use Tengujō Washi paper for restoration purposes. Its strength and transparency support long-term conservation standards, allowing for reversible and minimally invasive repairs.
Today the production of Tengujō Washi paper is stable for large production. The world’s thinnest and strongest paper developed by the dexterous techniques and aesthetic sensibilities of Japanese people has received acclaim over the last hundred years, and it’s continuing even now.
History and Production FAQ's
Tengujo Washi paper is made from high-quality Kozo fibers, carefully processed to create a thin yet incredibly strong sheet. The length and purity of these fibers allow the paper to maintain strength even at extremely low weights.
Tengujo achieves its unique balance of thinness and strength through refined fiber preparation and precise paper-making techniques. The long Kozo fibers are evenly dispersed and intertwined, creating a durable structure that remains stable even when the paper is nearly transparent.
Tengujo is commonly used for repairing tears, backing fragile documents, and stabilizing delicate surfaces where minimal visibility is essential. Its transparency allows conservators to reinforce materials without obscuring text, images, or original details.
Tengujo production involves meticulous processing of Kozo fibers, including cleaning, bleaching without harsh chemicals, and careful sheet formation. The fibers are suspended in water and formed into ultra-thin layers, then slowly dried to preserve their structure and strength. This process reflects centuries of Japanese paper-making expertise.