The kanyain, which was a paper mill under the direct control of government, was the center for the techniques of paper making during the Heian period to make a paper using the best techniques available at the time and provide technical instructions for making paper in the provinces.
官営紙漉き場であった紙屋（かんや）院は、平安時代の製紙技術のセンターであり、当時の最高の技術で紙を漉き、地方での紙漉きの技術指導も行った。