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Harvesting the Mulberry

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posted on 2025-01-22, 10:47 authored by Daphne Mohajer va PesaranDaphne Mohajer va Pesaran
Harvesting paper mulberry shoots using hedge trimmers/pruning shears. One person cuts while one person collects the branches. Every year after the winter solstice, the Paper Mulberry (kōzo) shoots that have reached 2 meters and above are cut at the trunk. It’s accepted that it is best to cut it every year. If they exceed 2 or 3 years in growth, the quality of the final product drops. The branches were historically removed from the cut stalks with a small curved sickle, then bundled together, and if possible placed in a North-facing location that will not get direct sunlight.

Funding

Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

History

Session

SY01

Rights owner

Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran

Title alt

kōzo-kiri — こうぞきり

Cultural group

Japanese

Participants

Keiji Abe, Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran

Country

Japan

Place

Shiroishi, Miyagi

Item/object

Paper mulberry branches

Techniques of production

cut-cut

Cultural context/event

Resource collection

Social group setting

Community

Location

Field

Temporality

Typically occurs during wintertime

Intent

Papermaking

Date of creation

2020-01-13

Unique ID

2019SG04-SY01-0709

Usage metrics

    Endangered Material Knowledge Programme

    Exports

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