Graduation Paper Making

In Japan it is traditional for junior high students to hand-make the paper that is used for their diplomas. Every year, the third years (who will graduate) take a field trip to a place to make paper. And after the paper is ready and delivered to the schools, the principal hand-writes each diploma by himself. This year I was lucky to receive an invitation to accompany one of my third year classes for their paper making trip!

I climbed aboard a bus with eighteen of my third year students and we headed to a local paper mill. First we sat around tables and arranged pressed flowers on paper that was already made for souvenir bookmarks.

Next we went into the paper production room, to learn how to make paper ourselves. There was a big tub set up inside a wooden frame where they had the water and fibers swirling around. One at a time we each made one sheet of pale gold paper. We were given a wood frame with an attached wire mesh screen which we dipped into the water and then drained twice. The old ladies were very strict about how we shook the frame to evenly spread the fibers. After that we waited for the water to drain out of the paper, then we had to carefully place it onto the stack with the other paper, press all the water out, and then remove the frame without disturbing the shape of the wet paper. After we finished making the diploma paper, we were kindly treated to fresh boiled sweet potatoes and hot chocolate! 

The students made their paper in a certain order following a list, that way on graduation day each student actually received the paper that he or she made. It is a really neat tradition, and I am so grateful they took me along to take part in it!