This material is highly prized in art conservation. If you ever watch Baumgartner painting restoration videos on YouTube, he frequently uses this or another similar paper to securely but lightly adhere to a painting's surface while he's working to stabilize it from the the back. May seem like a waste of rare paper but it serves an excellent purpose for that niche but important craft.
More importantly, this video is too short. It doesn't talk about why this paper can last a thousand years other than saying that it has.
Also I think the UK host gets short shrift. I really want to know his story. That on its own would be super interesting.
> More importantly, this video is too short. It doesn't talk about why this paper can last a thousand years other than saying that it has.
In case anyone is wondering, it’s because it’s a more complex process that removes a lot of the impurities that degrade plant fibers like acids. The fibers are also significantly longer, get damaged less during the process compared to machine made, and don’t have lignin which tends to degrade the fibers in wood based paper.
That 1000 year number depends on controlled environmental conditions or getting left in a desert. You leave some washi paper in a rainforest and it won’t last much longer than other plant fibers.
I came here to mention Baumgartner Restoration, so happy to see someone talking about him! He has nothing but good things to say about washi kozo and is always so apologetic for using such fancy paper for a temporary procedure, as you mentioned, but reiterates it's simply the best one for the task at hand.
More importantly, this video is too short. It doesn't talk about why this paper can last a thousand years other than saying that it has.
Also I think the UK host gets short shrift. I really want to know his story. That on its own would be super interesting.