Izumo(出雲) is the place of Japanese myth. The deep mountain area is well known for the myth of the Eight-Heads Dragon (Yamata-no-Orochi) and the ancient iron-making for the sword. Washi-making history is also very old, one of the oldest Washi production districts.
The name “Hiikawa” was named independently by the current master Mr Itani Shinji's father, using the name of the river which is streaming nearby.
He makes various papers using Kozo/Mitsumata/Gampi, is good at the mix-material and dyed paper which is quite unique and attractive, rather than standard single-material paper. Hiikawa Washi has a high reputation among Japanese Folk crafts world.