Japanese Paper and Udon

Saturday, during breakfast, something caught our attention that wasn't even on our 'to do' list...Japanese paper making! The Mino Washi Paper Museum was offering paper making classes, and it sounded fun! So... Doug, with his great Japanese quickly got us tickets to Mino!

 

I was excited to go and learn about the history of paper in Japan, but Doug was more excited because it would take us 'off the grid.' And it did...two long train rides and a bus to get up through the mountains to Mino.

 

Mino is located on the Nagara River, one of the most beautiful rivers in Japan.

They have been making paper here in this valley for 1,300 years, because of the clear water than runs through here!

 

The Mino Washi Museum was so amazing. I am glad we took the time to go! It is a great place to learn about 'Washi'... Japanese paper.

We also learned alot about the history of paper and it's beginnings. It is said that paper was first used in the 2nd century, and the art of paper making reached Spain in the 12th century. It was then popular throughout Europe and in the 1690's made it's way across to the America's.

 

This museum is also a factory that still makes almost every kind of paper product you can think off...here is Doug just showing a small sample of what the factory makes!

 

We had fun! We both made six post cards, using the traditional 'washi' paper making technique!

it's so cool that the materials they still use are 100 % natural. They use the bark from "Nasu Kouzo", the mulberry tree and "Taroroaoi" a hollyhock plant, from which they use the slimy liquid extracted from it's roots.

 

Doug was so funny to watch, he was having a good time putting his maple leafs on his postcards until he got in trouble for using more than six!

We have our postcards as a souvenir and if you want one, just ask...we'll be happy to share them with you! (Then we'll know who reads our blog!)

 

 

We also had lunch at the Museum restaurant and I had my first experience 'slurping' Udon noodles. We laughed so hard because there is a proper way to 'slurp' and I just couldn't get it! But how fun to slurp in public!!