It's the Washi making season now. The Washi paper is made best in the coldest time of the year. It makes the paper crispy and fine.
Hosokawa-shi Craftsmen Association had harvested Kozo shoots on January 22nd. Here are some scenes from the 23rd when they trimmed and made bundles in preparation for the next stage of steaming and peeling off the outer bark.
There are only a few masters of Hosokawa-shi. And it is regrettable that one of them had just retired in the end of last year. WanoKaze will restock more Hosokawa-shi from the remaining masters this year.