Our workshop
Workshop introduction video
Our workshop was introduced in a Shikoku tourism promotion video.
(It's only a few seconds...)
This video is full of the charms of Shikoku, so please take a look.
Thoughts on handmade Japanese paper
Handmade Japanese paper has played a major role behind the scenes in the development of civilization and culture.
Handmade washi paper was used for calligraphy, letters, ukiyo-e, nishiki-e, and even the furnishing of Japanese-style rooms in homes.
However, it has been more than 100 years since washi paper became an indispensable part of our lives.
Having completed its important role of transmitting information and preserving records, washi paper has become completely removed from our modern lives.
And paper itself has changed from something that was stored to something that is consumed in large quantities.
Handmade washi paper is said to have a lifespan of 1,000 years, but in today's world where paper has evolved into a consumable item, it may be very difficult for handmade washi paper to continue to exist as "paper."
However, the techniques of handmade washi paper have been quietly passed down from generation to generation for over 1,000 years, even to the present day.
This may be because the techniques used to produce handmade washi paper, which combine the blessings of nature and the wisdom of our ancestors, have a mysterious power and charm that makes people want to pass it on.
We see handmade washi paper as a "gift from nature, breathing quietly and silently," and we would like to spread the appeal of this paper from this small workshop.
History of Inoue Handmade Paper Workshop
Inoue Handmade Paper Workshop traces its origins back to the late Meiji period, when the first-generation founder, Torahachi Inoue, established a traditional handmade washi papermaking business in Takaoka Town, Tosashi.
The second-generation successor, Shigeko Inoue, expanded the scale of the workshop by hiring skilled artisans and further developed the production of Tosa washi deeply rooted in the local community.
The third-generation artisan, Toshio Inoue, began honing his craft as a washi maker in his teenage years. While preserving the traditions passed down through generations, he also brought new value to the craft. The washi he produced is known for being exceptionally thin and delicate yet remarkably strong. His paper gained national acclaim, especially for use in shoji screens, lanterns, hanging scrolls, and folding screen mountings.
Driven by his desire to “create genuine washi that will endure for future generations,” Toshio also dedicated himself to the research and development of washi for the restoration of Important Cultural Properties and National Treasures. As a result, his handmade paper has been used in the restoration of valuable cultural artifacts such as the Meigetsuki, Midō Kanpakuki, and Tosa Nikki, all dating back to the Kamakura period.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Toshio was designated in 1995 by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as a "Certified Holder of Selected Conservation Techniques" for handmade paper used in restoring Important Cultural Properties. The following year, in 1996, he was also honored by Kochi Prefecture with the title "Tosa no Takumi" (Master Artisan of Tosa), an award recognizing excellence in traditional craftsmanship.
Toshio’s passion and belief—that handmade washi should remain a cultural tradition that connects to the future—continue to be the foundation of Inoue Handmade Paper Workshop, and are faithfully passed down to the next generation of artisans.
Workshop overview
Name
Tosa Washi Inoue Papermaking Workshop
Since
The first generation, Torahachi Inoue, began producing handmade washi paper in the late Meiji period, and is now the fourth generation.
Address
2776 Otsu, Takaoka-cho, Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture 781-1102
TEL/FAX
088-852-0207
Business content
traffic
-
Wholesale sale of handmade Japanese paper
-
Wholesale of handmade Japanese paper accessories and miscellaneous goods
-
Experience events and workshops held
By car: 5 minutes from Kochi Prefecture Tosa Interchange
Transportation: 20 minutes by bus from Asakura Station
20 minutes by bus from Ino Station
(Get off at Tosa City City Hall bus stop)