Mr Abe Eishirou(安部榮四郎) is one of the legends of modern Washi history. He led “Japanese folk-art movement(日本民藝運動)” together with Mr Bernard Leach and Mr Yanagi Souestu(柳宗悦), also investigated and researched the historical papers, including Shōsō-in treasures.
He was certified as the first living national treasure of Washi in 1968 together with Mr Iwano Ichibei (8th) of Echizen. Many artisans were learnt and influenced by him.
His grandsons keep running the workshop. They make various papers skillfully using Kozo/Mitsumata/Gampi, for instance, “Izumo Cloud paper” and “Gampi paper” which Mr Bernard Leach was impressed at. Their papers remain old atmosphere very well.