Eco-friendly interior design using washi wallpaper | Kurotani Marudaki Washi

2024.09.19
和紙壁紙でつくるエコなインテリア|黒谷の丸だき和紙

"Washi" is a traditional craft that has flourished in Japan since ancient times.

When you think of washi paper used in interior design, you may think of traditional Japanese style doors with fusuma paper - solid and opaque - and shoji paper - translucent with a wooden lattice - , but did you know that it is also used as interior material for your home, or in other words, as wallpaper?
In recent years, it has attracted attention as an eco-friendly material that is ideal for creating sustainable interiors.

The washi wallpaper we are introducing this time is Kurotani's Maru-Daki Washi , which has been arranged to be used as an accent piece in interior design.

Its warm texture and soft texture have the unique charm of natural materials, making it an item you'll want to use to create a relaxing space.
There are pros and cons that differ from regular wallpaper, so be sure to keep these in mind as you choose the right wallpaper for you.

 

What is Kurotani's Marudaki washi paper?

Kurotani Washi, a traditional Kyoto craft

Marudaki washi has its roots in Kurotani washi, a traditional craft with a long history in Kyoto.

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Kurotani, located in the northern part of Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture, has flourished as a paper-making region for about 800 years.
Washi paper, which is carefully hand-made one by one by craftsmen using techniques that have been cultivated over many years, is known for being extremely durable, strong, and long-lasting.

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Because it can withstand long-term preservation, it has been used in Kyoto's cultural properties, such as the shoji screens at Nijo Castle, which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994.
In addition to being used for overseas works of art, it is also used as restoration paper at the Louvre Museum in France, and has received high acclaim around the world.

 

Kurotani's Marudaki washi paper makes the most of the texture of its raw materials

Marudaki Washi was made by omitting part of the Kurotani Washi process.
This is an original washi wallpaper commissioned by Kabegamiya Honpo.

かごぞろえ

"Kagozoroe", part of the washi-making process

The essential processes for making white washi include ``kagozoroe'' and ``midashi.''

"Kagozoroe" is the process of removing the unnecessary parts of the "kozo", or paper mulberry tree, bark, which is the raw material for Kurotani washi paper.
"Midashi" is the process of removing the fine dust that remains after "kagozoroe".

Marudaki washi is a paper that is made by intentionally omitting these onerous steps.
This washi paper is "cooked whole" - in Japanese, "marugoto taita" - even the parts that would normally be removed, so we named it "marudaki washi" - another way of saying "cooked whole."

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楮の不要な部分を取り除いた「黒谷和紙」

"Kurotani Washi", made by removing unnecessary parts of the paper mulberry

楮の不要な部分まで利用した「黒谷の丸だき和紙」

"Kurotani Marudaki Washi" uses even the unnecessary parts of the kozo plant

By using the entire bark of the kozo tree, we were able to create a washi wallpaper that brings out the natural look of the material.

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The rustic colors and rough texture of the fibers will accent your interior and create a tasteful atmosphere.

Eco-friendly material "Kozo" (paper mulberry)

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Kozo, the raw material for washi paper, is a plant that grows quickly, and if you cut off its growing branches, the branches will grow back to the same length the following year.

Because the raw material can be obtained repeatedly without killing the trees, it is attracting attention as an eco-friendly material that can be produced without destroying the environment.

楮畑

Paper mulberry field

Marudaki washi uses even the parts that would normally be thrown away as raw materials, and since it is 100% plant-based, it is carbon neutral even if it is incinerated when disposed of.
It does not produce any harmful substances.

 

Pros and Cons to note about Marudaki washi paper

Vinyl wallpaper, which is widely popular in Japan, and marudaki washi paper, which is made from natural materials, have very different characteristics as interior design materials.
Marudaki washi differs from regular washi wallpaper in some ways, so be aware of the pros and cons when using it.

Pros of Marudaki washi paper

1|Natural materials with no harmful substances

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Vinyl wallpaper is a composite product made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and pulp. Composite products are difficult to recycle, and many of them are currently thrown into landfills.
PVC is also a material that is thought to be a major cause of multiple chemical sensitivity.

On the other hand, Marudaki Washi, which is made from 100% natural materials, does not generate harmful substances such as formaldehyde, which causes sick building syndrome, and returns to the soil in the natural environment.
This wallpaper is not only environmentally friendly, but also kind to our bodies.

 

Advantage Part 2|Gentle texture of natural materials

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The randomly arranged fibers of washi diffusely reflect light, reducing the stimulation of light that enters your eyes.
It is ideal for creating a soft, warm space that cannot be achieved with other interior design materials.

 

3|Helps control humidity

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Washi paper is a material with excellent moisture-regulating properties.
It absorbs moisture in the air and keeps the humidity in the room constant.

 

Things to keep in mind when considering Marudaki washi paper

1|Stains, dirt, and odors are difficult to remove

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Marudaki washi paper, which is unbleached and retains the color of the raw material, has a beige color and a fibrous feel.
Compared to general washi wallpaper, dirt is less noticeable on this item.

Although it is strong and durable, it is still an uncoated paper material.
Splashing with water may cause peeling or staining, so it is not suitable for areas that are exposed to direct water, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Additionally, due to the characteristics of washi paper, stains and odors such as food pigments and oils tend to stick to the paper, and once they stick, it is difficult to wipe them off.
It is best to refrain from using it in areas where dirt and odors are a concern, such as near the dining table, the bathroom, and rooms where you spend time with pets and children.

 

2|Differences in color and texture due to handmade production

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Marudaki washi is handmade washi made from natural materials, so there may be differences in the finished color and texture.

This handmade quality is one of the advantages of marudaki washi, but you need to be careful if you want to finish the entire wall with a uniform color and texture.

 

3|Color change due to ultraviolet rays

While vinyl wallpaper can also get sun-damaged, marudaki washi paper, which originally has a deep color, becomes bleached and faded when with too much UV exposure.

Please look at the image below.
The left image is original marudaki washi paper, the right is marudaki washi paper that was hung on a sunny window for about 2 months.

(左)元の丸だき和紙/(右)褪色した丸だき和紙

(Left) Original Marudaki washi paper / (Right) Faded Marudaki washi paper

You can see the fading that has occurred after just a few months.

Some people may prefer the color after it has faded, and some may even enjoy the color change as a feature of the paper.
However, it is important to note that the color may fade in a short period of time in a sunny location.

By understanding the characteristics and precautions of marudaki washi paper, you can avoid regrets and troubles after installation.

 

Examples of Marudaki Washi installations? Compatible spaces and materials?

Below are some examples of rooms using Kurotani's marudaki washi paper to see what kind of spaces and interior items it goes well with.

For the bedroom or living room

丸だき和紙施工例(寝室)
Kurotani's marudaki washi paper is recommended as wallpaper in bedrooms, living rooms, and other spaces where you want to relax.
The simple and soft texture of the 100% natural materials will help you create a space where time can flow slowly.

 

Great compatibility with natural materials

丸だき和紙施工例(自然素材)
Naturally, washi wallpaper and natural items such as plants and wood grain go well together.
This wallpaper also goes well with stone-grain materials, bamboo, rattan, and mortar.

 

As an art panel

丸だき和紙施工例(アートパネル)
In addition to using it as wallpaper, we also recommend using it as an art panel.
Because this washi paper has a strong presence, just displaying one piece in a corner will add depth to your room.

 

How to apply Marudaki washi paper

Required construction tools

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*We also have a convenient glue application set (original paint set) and a 7-piece wallpaper installation tool set .

 

About the size and seams of Marudaki Washi paper

Size of round washi paper

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It is approximately 96cm tall x 61cm wide and is sold individually.

 

Although it is large in size, it is not large enough to cover the ceiling with just one piece, so it is installed by piecing it together like a patchwork.

Due to the nature of handmade products, there may be a dimensional error of approximately ±2cm.

 

Joints during construction

Cut the washi paper to your desired size and stick it on the wall.
If you want to create a gentle seam, use a the water cutting method, and if you want a sharp seam, use a Snap blade knife.

  • When cut with a colander

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This method involves wetting the folds of the washi paper with water, letting it soak in water, and then pulling it apart by hand.
The cut edges are frayed, resulting in a soft, blurred seam.
※For detailed instructions , click here >>

  • When cut with a Snap blade knife

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Cut with a Snap blade knife using a ruler etc. as a guide. Since it contains large fibers, snap off the knife blade frequently to keep it easy to cut.
The result is crisp, sharp seams.


Of course, you can stick it on without cutting it, just in its original size.
Try arranging them according to the area and location you want to hang them.

 

Precautions when using Marudaki washi paper

  • Although it can be removed for reapplying, it may leave fine fibers on the wall, so please refrain from using it in rental housing or other properties that need to be restored to their original conditions.
  • Hard fibers of wood may be mixed in. Please be careful when stroking the washi with your bare hands.
  • When applying with glue, stains may appear on the surface. If you are concerned, we recommend installing with double-sided tape.

 

How to Apply

Water cutting method

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  1. Fold the washi paper.
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  1. Wet the creases with a brush or sponge.
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  1. Let it sit for about 2-3 minutes and then pull it to cut.

 

How to paste marudaki washi paper

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  1. Measure out the amount of water you need to make the glue.
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  1. Wipe the walls clean.
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  1. Apply glue to the back of the cut washi paper.
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  1. Let the glue soak for about 2 to 3 minutes.
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  1. Stick the sheets onto the wall from bottom to top. We recommend overlapping the sheets slightly at the seams.
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  1. Use the wallpaper brush to remove any air bubbles as you apply the sticker.

\ Finish /

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Check out our video on how to hang marudaki washi paper!

You can also watch the video to learn how to paste round washi paper.

 

 

Precautions when removing

If you pasted round washi on top of vinyl wallpaper using the water-soluble adhesive "Poteglue", you can remove it by moistening it with water.

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  1. Use a spray bottle or a damp sponge to thoroughly moisten the surface with water.
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  1. Leave it for about 5 to 10 minutes to soften the glue.
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  1. Slowly peel it away from the seams.
You can peel it off, but...

 

If you apply Marudaki Washi paper on top of vinyl wallpaper using removable wallpaper glue, it can be removed using the steps above, but fine fibers may remain on the wall.

Please refrain from using it in rental housing etc. that need to be restored to its original condition.

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Conclusion: Aiming for eco-friendly and sustainable interiors

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We have entered an era where we cannot avoid the keywords SDGs and sustainable in all manufacturing and consumption activities.

Even though we say eco interior, there are many different directions and results.

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The ``Kurotani Marudaki Washi'' that we introduced this time is a wallpaper whose ``materials themselves are kind to the earth'' by making use of natural materials, even parts that would otherwise be thrown away.

When we conducted an experiment by burying rolled washi on the grounds of our store, it broke down in just one month.
The biodegradable plastic buried around the same time is still in its original form more than a year later. The results highlight how quickly natural materials decompose.

 

I buried some wallpaper that will return to the earth.

We dug up some wallpaper that will return to the earth.


In addition to this, the possibilities for sustainability in interior materials are constantly evolving, such as wallpaper that is reusable rather than disposable and wall stickers that drastically reduce the area of material by making only the design part into a sticker.

 

If you're aiming for an eco-friendly and sustainable interior, you might find it hard to find items you like.
We want the process of thinking about interior design and choosing items to be fun, no matter what the situation, rather than feeling like you're stuck with what's available.

With this in mind, Kameya Honpo will continue to explore the possibilities of eco-friendly and sustainable interiors.

 



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