This material is highly prized in art conservation. If you ever watch Baumgartner painting restoration videos on YouTube, he frequently uses this or another similar paper to securely but lightly adhere to a painting's surface while he's working to stabilize it from the the back. May seem like a waste of rare paper but it serves an excellent purpose for that niche but important craft.
More importantly, this video is too short. It doesn't talk about why this paper can last a thousand years other than saying that it has.
Also I think the UK host gets short shrift. I really want to know his story. That on its own would be super interesting.
> More importantly, this video is too short. It doesn't talk about why this paper can last a thousand years other than saying that it has.
In case anyone is wondering, it’s because it’s a more complex process that removes a lot of the impurities that degrade plant fibers like acids. The fibers are also significantly longer, get damaged less during the process compared to machine made, and don’t have lignin which tends to degrade the fibers in wood based paper.
That 1000 year number depends on controlled environmental conditions or getting left in a desert. You leave some washi paper in a rainforest and it won’t last much longer than other plant fibers.
I came here to mention Baumgartner Restoration, so happy to see someone talking about him! He has nothing but good things to say about washi kozo and is always so apologetic for using such fancy paper for a temporary procedure, as you mentioned, but reiterates it's simply the best one for the task at hand.
I’ve recently thrown out all my masking tape (crepe paper) in favor of Washi tape (rice/mulberry paper with a 3M adhesive). I use Blue Dolphin for house painting and Nichiban for airbrushing. Very nice quality of life upgrade.
Masking tape would bleed or lift paint. (Even frog tape). 10x reduction in these problems since switching to washi.
I must thoroughly second this! It has been fascinating to learn about the process of woodblock carving; something I got obsessed with after seeing a Hiroshige and Hokusai (e.g. "the wave") exhibition during the pandemic.
The Japanese paper culture is pretty wild. They use them to make fusuma (sliding doors), decorative strips, gift wrapping, etc. And like they say in the report they've done this since forever. There was once a time in history when the rest of the world was stuck using solid shutters instead of superior paper windows.
BTW the reporter looks like Cotten Hill if he was real, and actually fought in all those wars. I'm quite surprised they had him hosting the video. I'm curious what decisions led to this.
> BTW the reporter looks like Cotten Hill if he was real, and actually fought in all those wars. I'm quite surprised they had him hosting the video. I'm curious what decisions led to this.
I hope positively surprised :) That's Paul Carter - he's a regular presenter on the BBC, particularly their tech show "BBC Click". Here's a nice interview (https://disabilityhorizons.com/2019/09/paul-carter-journalis...) he gave to Disability Horizons a few years ago about his experiences.
Inclusion. In the UK, especially on the BBC, there is a lot of inclusion. We don't tend to hide or limit people based on disabilities or differences. There is a fully blind guy that does a lot of political reporting for example. It can be a little bit box ticky some times, but if people of all walks of life are represented, differences are less outside of the norm, I guess?
Fun fact: In Final Fantasy VII, there is an item called "Loco weed" that causes confusion. The name of the item in the Japanese release translates to "washi-wrapped weed", indicating that your giggling 90s self was right: it was supposed to be a blunt.
Just the crisp feeling, lightness, and they seem to be more breathable in hot weather despite feeling substantial so I can wear long sleeves to protect from sun exposure
I have a bunch but I buy in Japan or get things shipped from Japan, and really only ever buy things on sale (everything goes on sale...). I’ve never seen $800 US price tags
Where? I never paid a quarter of that. But I also don’t buy it outside the country it’s from, importers of Japanese goods in the US mark things up 2x+. I’ve paid about 3x the price of a plastic Uniqlo shirt.
This material is highly prized in art conservation. If you ever watch Baumgartner painting restoration videos on YouTube, he frequently uses this or another similar paper to securely but lightly adhere to a painting's surface while he's working to stabilize it from the the back. May seem like a waste of rare paper but it serves an excellent purpose for that niche but important craft.
More importantly, this video is too short. It doesn't talk about why this paper can last a thousand years other than saying that it has.
Also I think the UK host gets short shrift. I really want to know his story. That on its own would be super interesting.
> More importantly, this video is too short. It doesn't talk about why this paper can last a thousand years other than saying that it has.
In case anyone is wondering, it’s because it’s a more complex process that removes a lot of the impurities that degrade plant fibers like acids. The fibers are also significantly longer, get damaged less during the process compared to machine made, and don’t have lignin which tends to degrade the fibers in wood based paper.
That 1000 year number depends on controlled environmental conditions or getting left in a desert. You leave some washi paper in a rainforest and it won’t last much longer than other plant fibers.
I came here to mention Baumgartner Restoration, so happy to see someone talking about him! He has nothing but good things to say about washi kozo and is always so apologetic for using such fancy paper for a temporary procedure, as you mentioned, but reiterates it's simply the best one for the task at hand.
I’ve recently thrown out all my masking tape (crepe paper) in favor of Washi tape (rice/mulberry paper with a 3M adhesive). I use Blue Dolphin for house painting and Nichiban for airbrushing. Very nice quality of life upgrade.
Masking tape would bleed or lift paint. (Even frog tape). 10x reduction in these problems since switching to washi.
Good tip. Thank you.
Washi is a method or process of paper making tradition from Japan. I stumbled on it when I fell in love with Midori Papers.
The technique likely originates from China. https://amp.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3251059/...
For some excellent content about Japan, block printmaking, washi paper, etc. check out David Bull on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUpLl7BZ_JY
I must thoroughly second this! It has been fascinating to learn about the process of woodblock carving; something I got obsessed with after seeing a Hiroshige and Hokusai (e.g. "the wave") exhibition during the pandemic.
The Japanese paper culture is pretty wild. They use them to make fusuma (sliding doors), decorative strips, gift wrapping, etc. And like they say in the report they've done this since forever. There was once a time in history when the rest of the world was stuck using solid shutters instead of superior paper windows.
BTW the reporter looks like Cotten Hill if he was real, and actually fought in all those wars. I'm quite surprised they had him hosting the video. I'm curious what decisions led to this.
> BTW the reporter looks like Cotten Hill if he was real, and actually fought in all those wars. I'm quite surprised they had him hosting the video. I'm curious what decisions led to this.
I hope positively surprised :) That's Paul Carter - he's a regular presenter on the BBC, particularly their tech show "BBC Click". Here's a nice interview (https://disabilityhorizons.com/2019/09/paul-carter-journalis...) he gave to Disability Horizons a few years ago about his experiences.
Inclusion. In the UK, especially on the BBC, there is a lot of inclusion. We don't tend to hide or limit people based on disabilities or differences. There is a fully blind guy that does a lot of political reporting for example. It can be a little bit box ticky some times, but if people of all walks of life are represented, differences are less outside of the norm, I guess?
>I'm curious what decisions led to this.
Could it be his his degree in journalism and his years of experience as a journalist?
> There was once a time in history when the rest of the world was stuck using solid shutters instead of superior paper windows.
I don't think this is just due to lack of good paper making techniques, it's also an aspect of physical security that's involved.
Fun fact: In Final Fantasy VII, there is an item called "Loco weed" that causes confusion. The name of the item in the Japanese release translates to "washi-wrapped weed", indicating that your giggling 90s self was right: it was supposed to be a blunt.
Washi is my favorite tshirt material
Can you describe what makes them so special?
Just the crisp feeling, lightness, and they seem to be more breathable in hot weather despite feeling substantial so I can wear long sleeves to protect from sun exposure
Where do you buy them? Google seems confused by the term “washi tshirt”
https://kits-london.com/products/mino-washi-t-shirt-white-ma...
T-Shirt is £120 and they ship to US and Canada
That is an absurd amount for a T-Shirt, but I want one, if it is a comfortable to wear as it looks like.
Devoa and Jan-Jan Van Essche
I don’t know about more affordable options though
I've been trying to recall 'Devoa' since 7 years - what a great surprise to finally come across the brand again, and then on HN.
They have a very interesting approach to alot of fabrics, eschewing traditional western, static cuts and instead base the pattern on the bodies movement ('anatomical cuts'). https://www.reversible.com/user/tpat/listings/devoa-8-pocket...
$800 (usd?) for a short sleeve shirt? That's egregious. It's so far beyond even "hipster".
Well, technically OP said it's their favorite material, not that they own any or can.
Maybe it's their T-Shirt Dream Car :)
I have a bunch but I buy in Japan or get things shipped from Japan, and really only ever buy things on sale (everything goes on sale...). I’ve never seen $800 US price tags
I thought my F1 Mercedes AMG team shirts were expensive!
Where? I never paid a quarter of that. But I also don’t buy it outside the country it’s from, importers of Japanese goods in the US mark things up 2x+. I’ve paid about 3x the price of a plastic Uniqlo shirt.
Not to mention outrageous and preposterous.
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