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Awagami Factory

Blue Shima-dyed Washi Guest Book

Blue Shima-dyed Washi Guest Book

$49.00 USD
$49.00 USD
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Hand-dyed in rhythmic blue stripes, this guest book by Awagami Factory merges the minimal elegance of shima (stripe) patterns with centuries of washi-making tradition. The cover is made from washi dyed individually by hand using natural indigo—a hue celebrated globally as “Japan Blue,” and sourced here from Tokushima’s famed Awa indigo. The gentle diffusion of each stripe speaks to the unpredictable beauty of dye absorbing into fiber, producing a pattern that is both measured and organic.

Bound in the traditional Japanese style, the pages are folded and stitched without glue, forming soft inner leaves well-suited for ink, brush, or ballpoint. The paper itself is supple yet quietly structured, inviting both casual and ceremonial use. Whether for signatures, wishes, or memories, this book offers a serene stage—one that feels timeless and deeply rooted.

Detail

Size: W 7.1in x L 9.4in / W 18cm x L 24cm
Sheets: 20 Sheets (40 pages)
Material: Washi Paper

Care ＆ Use

  • Keep the notebook in a dry place, away from direct sunlight, to prevent discoloration or warping.
  • Avoid exposure to moisture or liquids—washi is absorbent and may stain easily.
  • Handle with clean, dry hands to preserve the surface and fibers.
  • Do not force the notebook to lie completely flat; let the spine open naturally to protect the binding.
  • Indigo is a natural dye that gradually changes in tone over time.
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The legacy of Awa Washi: spirit woven into paper

Among Japan’s oldest and most poetic crafts is washi—paper not merely made, but cultivated. Awa Washi, hailing from Tokushima Prefecture, stands as one of its most storied expressions. With origins in the 8th century, this paper tradition thrived in a region blessed with pure mountain water and temperate humidity—ideal for coaxing strength and subtlety from natural fibers. Unlike Western paper, Awa Washi is crafted from the inner bark of plants like kozo (mulberry), painstakingly steamed, stripped, beaten, and lifted into sheets by hand. What emerges is not just paper, but a living surface: strong yet breathable, soft yet unyielding, textured with time.

Awa Washi rose to prominence during the Edo period, cherished by feudal lords and literati alike for its ability to hold ink with grace and resist wear through generations. It was paper meant not to be used, but to be kept—to carry memory, prayer, and promise. Today, it endures as a rare material that balances imperfection and precision, woven not by machine but by human rhythm, plant fiber, and river flow. Each sheet invites a slower gaze, reminding us of the beauty in process, patience, and permanence

Brand History

Awagami Factory is a family-run papermaking atelier in Tokushima, rooted in over 300 years of washi tradition. Operated by the Fujimori family, the workshop traces its origins to the Edo period, when ancestors began crafting Awa Washi using the region’s abundant clean water and local plant fibers. Officially established in its current form in 1945, Awagami Factory has since become one of the few remaining makers dedicated to preserving the depth and discipline of hand-papermaking in Japan.

What sets Awagami apart is its rare duality: it honors centuries-old techniques while actively pushing the boundaries of what handmade paper can be. Under the guidance of successive generations—including Minoru Fujimori, a designated Master Craftsman—the factory has cultivated a wide range of papers for contemporary use, from printmaking and fine art to interior design and everyday creative expression.

Each sheet is made with a devotion to integrity—no shortcuts, no synthetic pulp. Whether created from kozo, mitsumata, or gampi, every fiber is selected, processed, and lifted into form with care that borders on reverence. Their ethos is not mass production, but cultural stewardship: to keep Awa Washi alive not in a museum, but in the hands of those who will write, fold, dye, or create with it.