Film Craft > Production

VEIL OF JAPAN

HIDAKAWASHI, Kochi / HIDAKAWASHI CO., LTD. / 2024

Awards:

Silver Spikes Asia
CampaignCampaign(opens in a new tab)
Supporting Content
Demo Film
Supporting Content

Overview

Credits

Overview

Write a short summary of what happens in the film.

"Tosa Tengujo" paper is made by intertwining natural plant fibers using a technique called nagashizuki, a manufacturing process. To express this, the transparency of the ultra-thin 0.02-meter-thick washi was captured through light reflection and transmission in a jet-black space, and its lightness allowed the paper to float naturally and beautifully in the wind, as well as the appearance of the washi as it appears from natural water, as it does when it is made. The lightness of the paper allows it to float naturally, dancing beautifully in the wind, and the way it appears out of natural water, just as it did when it was made. The visuals of light and shadow interplay to express the transparency and presence of this washi, the thinnest paper in the world. In addition, by depicting scenes of this translucent and transparent washi sandwiching old cultural assets, we visualized the traditional skill of protecting

Background:

"Tosa Tengujo" paper is the thinnest Japanese paper in the world. Its translucent texture of 0.02mm, the same thickness as the stratum corneum of human skin, is like a transparent veil. The paper is made by Nagashizuki, a process that uses natural water from the beautiful Tosa region, to create a strong yet thin and transparent washi. This washi is made by intertwining natural plant fibers from a shrub called kozo (paper mulberry), which is never deforested, and is highly regarded around the world from an SDGs perspective for its strong preservation and environmentally friendly natural materials. "Tosa Tengujo" paper is also an attractive product used for restoration of cultural assets such as old documents and Buddhist statues due to its strong preservation and transparency. The campaign was developed with the goal of shining a light on this brand and spreading its nature-friendly and functional qualities throughout the world.

Please provide any cultural context that would help the jury understand any cultural, national or regional nuances applicable to this work e.g. local legislation, cultural norms, a national holiday or religious festival that may have a particular meaning.

This washi originated not in Tosa, but in Mino (Gifu Prefecture), which is said to be the oldest paper production area in Japan. It was already being made in the Muromachi period (1333-1573), and in the Edo period (1603-1867), it was used as a base for prints and for artists' tracing and backing. Hidaka Washi began researching the paper with the idea of making a "superior paper to Mino's paper," and after improving the mesh girder, the 0.02 mm-thin "Tosa Tengujo" paper was born in 1880 (Meiji 13). This washi is made using a technique called nagashizuki, in which natural plant fibers from the shrubs called kozo (paper mulberry), which are never deforested, are intertwined with each other. It is also used to restore cultural assets such as ancient documents and Buddhist statues, and the gentle veil of nature-derived paper continues to protect history and culture for the future. Libraries and museums around the world, as well as in Japan, have books waiting to be restored. Museums have books waiting to be restored and are attracting attention as cultural asset restoration paper.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the cinematography.

In order to bring out the transparency and soft texture of "Tosa Tengujo" paper , the artist used LED spotlights to create a sense of luminescence and depth in a jet-black space. 10 blowers were installed facing upward to create a natural and beautiful floating movement, and to pursue a smooth surfacing appearance. The washi was filled with water in a huge tank, and the appearance of the washi emerging from the surface of the water, dancing in the water, and disintegrating in the water were also photographed. Using sliders and other equipment, he captured the scene of this washi descending from above and then being covered and fused together to create the image of "Tosa Tengujo" paper restoring a cultural asset.