In this mini-exhibition, we will introduce Traditional Cut Paper which, unlike handcrafted paper arts, is used in religious rituals and annual events. Representative examples include New Year’s decorations to welcome the deity of the year and stage decorations for Kagura (Shinto ritual performances).

Traditional Cut Paper is not only sacred but also aesthetically remarkable. While it might be less commonly seen due to its use in ritual contexts, regional variations, and changes in living environments and lifestyles, we hope this modest exhibition will provide an opportunity to experience a part of the cut paper culture.

Hourai　 “寿” (longevity)

Ōkazari

Iinoyama Shrine (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)

Paper has not only played a major role in the transmission of history, culture and art, it is also a very familiar object. From the moment we wake up in the morning until we go to bed, we are surrounded by a variety of paper and paper products every day. If we didn’t have paper, we would be in trouble!

Here we will show you the basics of paper, which is indispensable, and some experiments you can do at home. Why don’t you try your hand at some research on paper this summer?

On July 3rd of this year, a new “Bank of Japan note” will be issued for the first time in 20 years. The portrait of Eiichi Shibusawa has been chosen for the 10,000 yen note of this new banknote. Shibusawa is known for laying the foundation of modern Japanese economic society. He played a significant role in the issuance and circulation of paper money, including the issuance of domain, “han”, notes for the Hitotsubashi domain, the establishment of regulations such as the New Currency Regulations and the National Bank Regulations, and the founding of a Western paper manufacturing company.

This exhibition introduces the relationship between Shibusawa Eiichi and domain notes from the Edo period, also known as “han bills,” and modern banknotes denominated in yen, leading up to the present day. To circulate paper, a material with little inherent value, as currency, trust is paramount above all else. Let’s consider the familiar yet profound world of paper and banknotes.

Eiichi Shibusawa (70 years old / 1909): Shibusawa Memorial Museum Collection

A photograph used as a reference for the portrait on the new 10,000 yen note

Woodblock print “Comprehensive View of the First National Bank Tokyo at Kaiun Bridge, along with the neighboring city “

Han note making pattern paper, original paper for han notes, and han notes (Matsue han)

In the 6th year of the Meiji era (1873), Shoshi Kaisha was founded under the initiative of Eiichi Shibusawa. On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, this exhibition will delve into the history of Shoshi Kaisha, which can be considered the origin of Japan’s modern paper industry, and explore the significance of the factory site in Tokyo’s Oji district, which has been handed down as the birthplace of Western paper.

The word “toy” originated from the concept of something “held and played with” in Japanese. Over time, various toys have become popular and widespread, reflecting the era and social trends. However, toys made from the familiar material of paper have been cherished since ancient times.

Paper is very thin and lightweight, yet it is also strong and flexible. Not only is it suitable for writing, drawing, and printing, but it is also easy to cut, paste, fold, and roll, allowing for various forms of manipulation. Moreover, paper is inexpensive and can be mass-produced. Taking advantage of these characteristics, many paper toys have been created.

In this exhibition, we will introduce a variety of paper toys, including traditional Japanese games such as Karuta (a card game) and Sugoroku (a board game), as well as paper crafts, dress-up dolls, kites, and other regional toys that can be enjoyed by making them together.

Paper is made from plant fibers, and its recyclability and low environmental impact have led to its reevaluation as a material. Unlike game consoles and electronic toys, paper toys possess a unique texture, warmth, and accessibility. Why not take this opportunity to rediscover the charm of paper toys?

 “Hinamatsuri” (Doll’s Festival) is a festival held on the 3rd of March and is also known as “Momo no Sekku”.

It is said that “Hinamatsuri” was the combination between the old “Hiina Play” which was the play by children of nobility in the Heian period in Japan and “Joshi” introduced from China. “Joshi” is the custom of transferring misfortunes to a “doll” made of paper or wood on the day of the snake at the beginning of March and flushing the doll into water.

In the Edo period, it became popular as a Hinamatsuri, and after furnishings such as Hina dolls were prepared, it eventually became a festival for girls.

Hina dolls were standing dolls and originally made of paper, but as the technology for making dolls developed in the Edo period, cloth-made sitting dolls appeared.

It was also after the Edo period that the custom, such as a pair of male and female dolls resembling the emperor and empress, called dairibina, and the custom of tiered decorations with three court ladies, five musicians, and zuishin, were established.

Hina dolls have become arts and crafts for adults to appreciate later, and various kinds of dolls such as gorgeous Hina dolls with various elaborate designs and untraditional Hina dolls that reflect the social conditions, have come to be made.

In recent years, traditional customs such as Nagashibina dolls and dolls rooted in the local area have been reconsidered, and various events are being held in various places.

Nagashihina（Paper dolls floated downriver）

Tottori Prefecture／1972・1982

On December 16, 1875, a large-scale western-style paper mill was opened in Oji, Tokyo by the leadership of Eiichi Shibusawa, known as the father of the modern Japanese economy.

The papermaking company, which name was the Shoshi-Gaisha, is the root of the current Oji Holdings Co., Ltd. and Nippon Paper Industries, Co., Ltd., and has had a great impact not only on the Japanese Paper Industry but also on the development of the Oji area.

With the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Shoshi-Gaisha next year, this special exhibition focuses on the period from the establishment of the Shoshi-Gaisha to the time before and after the grand opening ceremony of the paper mill, and explores the background to the flourishing of the modern paper industry in Oji.

“Paper” has not only played a very important role in conveying history, culture, and art, but it is also very close to you.

From the time you wake up in the morning until you sleep, you are surrounded by various types of paper and paper products every day.

If you don’t have the paper to use, it’s hard!

What do you know about such indispensable paper?

The paper that you used to take for granted has amazing power and secrets!

Why don’t you challenge for independent research on “paper” this summer?

We also have experiments that you can do at home and books that are useful when you want to know more about paper.

As June 8^th is the anniversary of the founding of the Paper Museum, we would like to introduce the brief history of the museum and some of its important collections.

“Kami-Waza Grand Prize” is a competition with the theme of creation with pursuing the possibilities of “paper” by free thinking. This competition is the oldest paper art contest, which celebrated 30^th competition in 2021, and known as a gateway for creators, students and craft writers. It originally started in 1991 by the citizen group “Shimada Kami-Waza Explorers ” in Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and it is now sponsored by Tokushu Tokai Paper Co., Ltd. and co-sponsored by paper manufacturers and trading companies.

Hundreds of works are submitted from all over the country every year under the condition that paper can be used freely regardless of the form such as flat surface or three-dimensional. The paper used is a wide variety of paper, including fancy paper, which has a wide variety of colors and patterns and is characterized by its texture, as well as newspaper, cardboard, and Japanese Washi.

Please take this opportunity to enjoy the world of various “Kami-Waza” such as works that can only be made with paper, which have suppleness, elasticity, and strength, or works which will surprise you as “is it really made of paper?”.

※The part of exhibits will be changed during the exhibition period.

Hosted by:  Paper Museum  Tokushu Tokai Paper Co., Ltd.

Special Cooperation by:  Oji F-Tex Co., Ltd.  SHINSEI Pulp & Paper Co., Ltd., TAKEO Co., Ltd.  Heiwa Paper Co., Ltd.

30th Grand Prize  ”示相化石 S-4”   榎本大翔 Enomoto Daisuke

In Japan, Paper play various roles such as god’s “Yorishiro”, an object to which a spirit is drawn or summoned, sanctuary signs, and lucky charms in various situations where people try to communicate with the gods and Buddha, such as rituals, ceremonial occasions, and annual events.

 This is because the paper was perceived as clean, and probably it was a material suitable for a sacred festival place for that time as it was easy to work with, and at the same time it could be easily returned to nature by burning it or flushing it into a river or sea.

In this Theme Exhibition, we introduce the Traditional Cut Paper, among various Cut Paper made by cutting paper like handicrafts, used for religious ceremonies such as New Year’s decorations and “Kagura” which is Shinto music and dancing especially on the New Year’s Day in the Tohoku region.

The Tohoku region is said to be a treasure trove of the Traditional Cut Paper, but we understand that in addition to the changing times, the impact of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake has made it extremely difficult to inherit the Cut Paper culture. We hope that this exhibition will give you an opportunity to experience a part of the wonderful Cut Paper culture.

The Paper Museum was founded 1950, in the area of Tokyo known as Oji, which is known as the birthplace of Western Paper in Japan. It used of the building of Oji Paper Co., Ltd.’s Oji Mill, but later it was decided to move to a location in Asukayama Park, and the new Museum opened in 1998.

While this museum passes on historical materials detailing the progress of Japan’s western paper industry, it has also aggressively collected material about washi (Japanese paper), from the time the museum was founded. By respecting the technology and culture of washi that has been passed down from long ago, and studying the technology and history of both washi and western paper, the Museum has aimed for the further development of Japanese paper industry.

This year marks the 70^th anniversary of the founding of the Museum so we decided to open a special collections exhibit. We hereby introduce important items held by the Paper Museum, which has operated with the doctrine of learning from history.