World’s thinnest paper, traditional Japanese washi is finding a new use in museum preservation

Traditional Japanese washi is the thinnest paper in the world and known for its flexible and tough texture has made with fibres from the bark of mulberry bushes and other plants. But while it was once commonly used in everyday Japanese life, demand for washi has been declining. Producers of the paper are now finding new markets around the world, including among experts doing conservation work at major museums and libraries, including the Louvre in Paris and London’s British Museum.