Papermaking in Bhutan originated in the eighth century, and began as a domestic activity in ancient times and remains in practice in remote areas of the country. With the advent of advanced technology, the quality of the paper has witnessed remarkable improvements in the last decade. Its intended use was mainly religious, in the writing of holy books and scriptures. It is regarded as a valuable Bhutanese National Heritage (as the Japanese regard their "national cultural assets"). It is no longer a cottage industry in Bhutan, as it has evolved in a valuable commercial activity for the Kingdom.
Had we not been exposed to Lokta from Nepal and the wonders of the Daphne fiber, we might not have progressed to the local Daphne fiber from Bhutan. There grows a similar plant called Edgeworthia papyrifera which grows at lower altitudes (circa 1500 ft.) than Daphne. It grows abundantly, is easy to harvest during March through October of each year, and is a renewable source.
The qualities I had seen thus far were Resho and Tsarsho without much variety, but outstanding in quality and formation nevertheless. Luckily again, we have found that a great variety of this paper is made in various sizes and shades, laid and wove, and even their second quality paper is nearly perfect.
Have a look at the thumbnails below, and of course, do click on each one to view the marvel of each sheet.
Nagashi Suki
Natural Fine Daphne
Black Tsarsho
Mongar Black Tsarsho
Natural Fine Paper - 2nd quality
Thimphu Black Tsarsho
Natural Fine Paper
Mongar Tsarsho
Local Resho
Jungshi Tsarsho
Yangtse Tsarsho
Thimphu Tsarsho
Quality
Size
Gsm
Fiber
Suggested Retail
Notes
Local Resho
32" x 22½"
60 gsm
daphne
$5.70/sheet
dark, fibrous
Black Tsarsho
20" x 30"
80 gsm
daphne
$9.00/sheet
rough, laid
Yangtse Tsarsho
20"x 30"
60 gsm
daphne
$9.00/sheet
smooth laid
Mongar Tsarsho
20" x 30"
85 gsm
daphne
$9.00/sheet
textured, laid
Thimphu Tsarsho
20" x 30"
60 gsm
daphne
$8.50/sheet
Smooth, laid
Mongar Black Tsarsho
20" x 30"
60 gsm
daphme
$9.00/sheet
dark, fibered, laid
Thimphu Black Tsarsho
20" x 20½"
90 gsm
dphne
$9.50/sheet
looks like Fabriano Roma
Nagashi Suki
33¾" x 21¼"
45 gsm
edgeworthia
$9.50/sheet
kozo like texture
Natural Fine Paper
33¾" x 21¼"
45 gsm
edgeworthia
$9.75/sheet
lovely wide laid lines
Natural Paper, 2nd Quality
33¾" x 21¼"
45 gsm
edgeworthia
$8.75/sheet
more fibrous
Natural Fine Daphne
33¾" x 21¼"
90 gsm
daphne
$19.25/sheet
gampi-like, heavy
Jungshi Tsarsho
31" x 20½"
90 gsm
edgeworthia
$9.75/sheet
lovely chain lines, smooth
Wholesale Accounts, please call or email for pricing.
HOW IT'S MADE
The plants are cut above the roots and the outer bark is peeled and dried out in the sun. The factory uses nearly a tone of fiber on a monthly basis to produce about 10,000 sheets of different varieties of paper.
The extracted fiber is weighed and they soak about 65 lbs. of it at a time in water for about 12 hours. The fiber is then cooked in a huge container over wood fire for approximately 4 hours. It is then transferrred to a wooden vat filled with water where it is washed to remove all the brown alkaline liquid and unacceptable looking fiber. It is then ground in a beater, and mixed with water in a wooden vat. Hibiscus Magnihot, a vegetable starch, is added for mixing the pulp (something like the tororo-ai which the Japanese add to their pulp to help in even distribution and dispersion of the fiber in water).
With the help of a wooden frame and bamboo flint screen, the pulp solution is scooped out and "couched" on a table bed, where several sheets may follow, or as in the Nepalese tradition, each sheet will dry out in the sun on its own wireless frame. The process is repeated up to 300 times until evening, where the papers are left until the next day. On an average day, about 1,000 sheets are produced. That amount is put through a heavy press to squeeze out any excess water, and then moved to the drying area.
Daphne Papyrifera
Edgeworthia Papyrifera
Each paper layer is separated, one at a time, and placed on the surface of a steam heated drying machine. It takes about 5 minutes of drying time per sheet. Twenty-four sheets can be dried at a time. Finally, all dry paper is counted, and stored. All paper is completely handmade and chemical free.
