Mitsumata

Mitsumata (Edgeworthia chrysantha) is one of the three traditional fiber plants used in Japanese papermaking. Its name means "three-forked," referring to the characteristic branching pattern of the plant. The fiber produces a soft, slightly yellowish paper with a gentle surface texture and warm tone.

Mitsumata paper is softer and more delicate than kozo paper, with shorter fibers that create a smoother but less strong sheet. Its natural warmth of color — ranging from cream to pale gold — gives prints a distinctive tonal quality different from the cooler white of kozo-based hosho. Some printers and artists specifically chose mitsumata paper for subjects where this warm base tone enhanced the image.

In modern Japan, mitsumata fiber is used for producing Japanese paper currency (banknotes), valued for its difficulty to counterfeit and distinctive feel. For printmaking, mitsumata paper is used less commonly than kozo-based papers but remains an important option for artists seeking specific surface qualities or color tones. Blended papers combining mitsumata with kozo or other fibers offer intermediate characteristics.