07 | Udatsu Museum and Workshop
See Every Step of the Traditional Paper-Making Process Up Close.
9-21-2 Shinzaike-cho, Echizen-shi, Fukui 915-0232
The Udatsu Museum and Workshop is one of the only places in Japan where visitors can see traditional artisans using old-fashioned tools and techniques to perform every step of producing washi paper, from preparing the raw materials to shaping each sheet of paper to drying it in the sun outside.
Even the building itself is authentic — originally the house of a paper maker in the mid 18th century, it was moved to its current location and renovated for its current use. The paper-making workshop on the right side of the first floor is a faithful reproduction of a traditional artisan's workspace. The tatami room in the back, behind the dirt floor and hearth of the entryway, is used today as a craft space. The second floor is used as a gallery that has hosted a wide variety of washi paper-related exhibitions.
Authentic hands-on nagashi-suki paper-making lessons are available as well, for visitors looking for a challenge.
The Tsuma-iri Udatsu Architecture of this Paper Maker's House
The building that became the Udatsu Museum and Workshop was originally built in 1748 to serve as the house of the family of Heiemon Nishino, a paper maker who lived and worked in what is now Echizen City. The house has since been moved to its current location and restored.
The "udatsu" in the name refers to the architectural style of the building: a Japanese-style house with a decorative wall and small pillars on the exterior. At the time, this served as a form of fire protection — if the house next door were to catch fire, this would act as a fireproofing wall to prevent the fire from spreading. While the udatsu itself was not a particularly uncommon architectural feature, the houses of Echizen's paper makers were unique in that the udatsu was built on the front of the house, a style known as tsuma-iri udatsu. This distinct architectural style can still be seen today on some houses in this area.
Traditional Nagashi-Suki Paper-Making Lesson
At the Udatsu Museum and Workshop, visitors interested in a challenge can try traditional nagashi-suki paper-making using only old-fashioned tools and materials, with a traditional artisan as a teacher.
◆ Price: ¥5,000 per person (shipping fees not included; paper will not be dried and finished until at least the following day)
◆ Details: Use nagashi-suki techniques to make either two sheets of washi paper 66 × 97 cm in size or four sheets 44 × 55 cm in size.
A traditional artisan of Echizen Washi will provide instruction. There is then a practice session before actually making the final paper.
◆ Reservations: Reservations required in advance. For groups of five or more, reservations are required at least two weeks in advance.
Same-day reservations may be available for individuals. Please inquire for more details.
◆ Shipping: The sheets of paper produced during this lesson will all be shipped together to a single recipient, either the person who made them (for single-person lessons) or to a group representative (for multi-person lessons).
Details
■ Admission: Adults ¥200, kids 18 and under free (Admission price includes admission to the Museum of Washi and Culture)
Special Exhibition Admission: Adults ¥300, kids 18 and under free
Group Discount: Adults ¥150 for groups of 15 or more
■ Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Shop open until 4:30)
■ Closed: Tuesdays (open if Tuesday is a holiday) and new year holidays (Dec. 28 to Jan. 4)
■ Tel: (0778) 43-7800
※ Note: Make sure to take your shoes off when visiting the galleries on the first and second floors (the tatami mat rooms).
★ To learn about the history and techniques of Echizen Washi, visit the Museum of Washi and Culture