Study for a Stable Supply of Noriutsugi (2)

　In our December 2022 Monthly Report, we reported on the “neri,” a sort of “dispersant” used in papermaking, extracted from noriutsugi (Hydrangea paniculate). This report is a continuation of that previous report.
　Since last year, noriutsugi collected in Shibetsu-cho, Hokkaido Prefecture has been shipped to various papermaking areas and used as neri for papermaking, but problems such as blackening of the neri have been observed in some areas. Analysis of the causes of the blackening confirmed that it is caused by a combination of three conditions: heating during neri extraction, contamination of tannins in the outer bark, and the absence of preservatives. Therefore, the blackening can be eliminated by carefully removing the outer bark or by adding a small amount of preservative. This result was reported at the 45th annual meeting of The Japan Society for the Conservation of Cultural Property (National Museum of Ethnology, June 24-25), and the presentation was very fruitful, receiving many questions.
　In addition, we visited the production sites of Uda paper (Yoshin-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture) and Echizen washi (Echizen-shi, Fukui Prefecture), which are made using noriutsugi, in succession (March 6 for Uda and July 19 for Echizen) and conducted a survey of the paper-making process. In both of these production areas, the shortage of noriutsugi is a major problem, and the supply from Shibetsu-cho is expected to be of great help. It was also confirmed once again that there are different ways to use noriutsugi neri depending on the production area and the craftsman, and it is necessary to consider supply methods that meet the needs.　In addition, on July 27, we visited Shibetsu-cho to observe the collection of noriutsugi bark, to study the collection method and to record and photograph the process. This year, about 200 kg of noriutsugi bark has already been collected and shipped to various papermaking regions.
　We will continue our activities to ensure a stable supply of noriutsugi.

Uda-gami papermaking, using noritsugi from Shibetsu-cho

Noritsugi used for Echizen washi

Noriutsugi, which grows wild in large quantities in Shibetsu-cho

Collecting bark