Echizen Washi
Echizen washi has a history of about 1,500 years. In 4~5c, ancient (old) documents in Shōsō-in confirmed the existence of Echizen washi but it is said that Echizen washi had made before it. In the early days, Echizen washi was used as a sutra paper. In 1341, The paper was named “Echizen-hosho” and began to produced and used in large quantities as official documents for the higher classes. Echizen washi developed under the protection of the shogunate and lords. In 1661, the first Japanese biils, “hansatsu“, are published in Fukui Prefecture and made in Echizen washi production areas. In 1868 the first Japanese official bills "Dajokansatsu" were published and made in Echizen washi production area. (As a result of the government's review and comparison of bills issued by various clans throughout Japan, Echizen washi was considered to be the best quality in Japan.)