Living National Treasure Iwano Ichibee (9th generation) — Plant-Ash Echizen Hōsho (White)
Size: 90 × 60 cm (approx. 35.4 × 23.6 in.)

This exceptional Echizen Hōsho is handmade by Iwano Ichibee (9th generation), recognized as a Living National Treasure in Japan. Crafted through a meticulous, traditional process, it is renowned for its extraordinary strength and dimensional stability—qualities essential for modern printmaking, where a single sheet may be printed up to 300 impressions without stretching or misregistration.

A defining feature is the use of plant-ash lye (kusaki-bai) to cook kōzo fibers, preserving long fibers and achieving a resilient, refined surface. Today, this plant ash is no longer obtainable, making this paper available only while existing stock lasts.

Hōsho by the Iwano family is trusted by artists and institutions worldwide—supplied to the Louvre Museum since 2014—and valued for its soft yet robust feel, pigment-holding capacity, and archival cleanliness achieved through thorough washing and inspection of every sheet.

Purchase note: Due to extremely limited production and careful shipping requirements, this item is handled by inquiry. Please contact us via the inquiry form for availability and ordering.

Inquiry Form