During a visit to Japan last March, I spent a day at the Echizen Washi Village, a small rural village where washi (Japanese paper) has been made for centuries. I began with a visit to the shrine of the paper goddess, Kawa-kami Gozen. Legend tells us that about the year 800, the goddess came from the river bearing the gift of paper, and taught the villagers the paper-making process. Historians believe that she was actually from Korea, as at the time Koreans were producing hand-made paper, and were also travelling by boat between the two countries. The woman became venerated as a goddess and this shrine was built to honour her and the gifts she brought. The shrine is in a beautifully treed park, and on the day we were there, my son and I were the only visitors. All was silent except for birdsong–I felt as if I had been transported back in time.
A Visit to Echizen Washi Village
