【Bringing Tosa Washi to Expo 2025: Reflections on Two Remarkable Days】

Hello, this is Inoue Tesuki Washi Workshop.

We are honored to have presented a Tosa Washi papermaking experience booth at the “EXPO 2025 WORLD YOSAKOI DAY” in Osaka Expo 2025.

Over the course of two unforgettable days, we had the rare opportunity to share the spirit and craftsmanship of Tosa Washi—nurtured by the natural beauty of Kochi and the clear waters of the Niyodo River—directly with so many people.Here, we would like to share our candid reflections as organizers of the experience.

It All Began with the Desire to Share

In our daily life, we work quietly at our workshop in Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture, surrounded by the gentle breeze and the sound of flowing water, devoting ourselves to hand-papermaking.

But stepping onto the grand stage of the Osaka Expo, we prepared with one clear wish in mind: to share the beauty of washi with those who are experiencing it for the very first time.

At the venue, many visitors asked us with genuine curiosity,“What makes Tosa Washi so special?”“So washi is not just ordinary paper, is it?”

Hearing such words of wonder and delight was, for us as washi artisans, the most rewarding moment of all.

　　　　　　　　　　　　The Joy of Papermaking Together for the First Time

“Am I doing this right?”“It’s tricky, but so much fun!”Throughout the workshop, we heard words like these again and again.

Children’s small hands touched the kozo fibers with wide-eyed wonder, while some smiled brightly with their mothers, saying, “Let’s hang this at home.” Each of these moments gently warmed our hearts.

To be honest, the preparation was no easy task—arranging tools, materials, staff, and finding the best way to explain the process. Yet every smile we saw from those who experienced washi for the first time made us think, over and over again, “I’m glad we did this.”

The Surprise Favorite: “Myaku-Myaku”!? The Charm of Washi Art

This time, we also offered a chigiri-e art activity, where participants could create collages using the washi paper they had just made. To inspire them, we brought along several samples of washi art. To our surprise, the most popular subject turned out to be none other than “Myaku-Myaku,” the official mascot of Expo 2025 Osaka!

Ripping and arranging washi paper freely to bring their ideas to life—both children and adults alike were completely absorbed in the creative process. This hands-on time reminded us once again of the rich possibilities of washi and the pure joy of artistic expression.

　What We Deeply Realized

Tosa Washi is a paper born from the harmony of nature and human hands. Within each single sheet, unseen feelings and the quiet weight of time are gently embedded.

Papermaking can sometimes be a solitary practice—days spent face to face with the raw materials, alone. It is a dialogue with oneself, a time that remains steadfast even when unseen by anyone else.

Yet at this Osaka Expo, as we connected with so many people through Tosa Washi, we came to realize that this quiet solitude can also become a doorway to connection.

The voices of wonder as people touched the freshly made paper.The smiles of children enjoying their chigiri-e collages.

Hearing words like “I want to come again” and “I’d love to visit Kochi” filled us with profound joy.

And in that moment, we understood something important: preserving tradition is not a solitary act.It is a living practice of connection—linking us to the people before us, and to those we have yet to meet.

Until We Meet Again

At Inoue Tesuki Washi Workshop, we will continue to make each sheet of paper with care, nurtured by the natural surroundings of Tosa City in Kochi Prefecture.

At the same time, we also hope to expand our efforts to share Tosa Washi beyond our hometown. Nothing would bring us greater joy than to once again share the warmth of hand-papermaking with you—somewhere, someday.

👉 You can also enjoy a hands-on papermaking experience at our workshop in Kochi!

For those who wish to experience authentic washi-making, we warmly invite you to visit our workshop in Tosa.

For more details, please see our [Experience Page].→About Our Workshop Experiences