“Hanaregumo” Washi paper factory

Junpei Kanazashi, originally from Shizuoka, Japan, and his wife, Hiroko, have lived in Minamata, Kumamoto, for forty years. Hiroko is an expert in botanical dyeing and weaving, using plants from their diverse garden.

The couple is committed to a sustainable lifestyle, utilizing local materials like bamboo, onion skins, and cedar in their washi paper creations.

The factory's name, "Hanaregumo," translates to "floating cloud" in Japanese, perfectly encapsulating their lifestyle ethos.