mitsumatagami 三椏紙

Paper made from the fibres of mitsumata 三椏 (edgeworthia papyrifera). The mitsumata bush, native to China, was brought to Japan during the Edo period for use in paper making. Increased mitsumata cultivation lead to a dramatic rise in paper manufacture. In the Meiji period, bleach was used to create a glossy surfaced, white paper similar to *torinokogami 鳥の子紙. Mitsumatagami is strong and does not crease easily.