Washi as Clothing: How Japanese Paper Becomes a Wearable Fibre

Washi (和紙) is Japanese paper — traditionally made from the inner bark of plants such as kozo (paper mulberry), gampi, and mitsumata. It has been produced in Japan for over 1,300 years and is valued for its strength, translucency, and textural quality.

The idea of wearing washi is less unusual than it sounds. Paper fibres have been used in Japanese textile traditions for centuries — in a form known as shifu (紙布), washi was cut into fine strips and twisted into a yarn for weaving. Modern washi fibre for garments is a more refined version of this principle, produced through industrial fibre processing rather than handcraft.

In this note

• What washi is and how it is traditionally made
• How washi becomes a textile fibre
• What properties washi contributes in a garment blend
• How washi compares to cotton and synthetic alternatives in sock applications
• Care notes for washi blend garments

What washi is

Traditional washi is made from the long, strong bast fibres found in the inner bark of certain plants. Kozo (paper mulberry) is the most commonly used source for washi paper. The fibres are separated, processed, formed into sheets, and dried — producing a paper with notably different properties from wood-pulp paper: stronger, more flexible, and with a characteristic surface quality.

The properties that make washi useful as paper — its strength, its surface character, and its behaviour with moisture — are related to the properties of the cellulose fibres from which it is made. These same properties transfer, in modified form, to textile applications.

How washi becomes a textile fibre

Modern washi textile fibre is not made by cutting sheets of traditional handmade washi into strips. The commercial process is more complex: washi paper (or directly processed plant fibre) is converted into a fine, spun yarn through a fibre processing pathway that produces a consistent, knittable or weavable yarn.

In Shopify and garment industry labelling, this fibre is typically called "washi" or "Japanese paper fibre" or listed as a classified fibre. The exact production process varies by manufacturer. The resulting yarn is finer and more consistent than the traditional shifu yarn, and is suitable for knitting on modern fine-gauge machines.

What washi contributes in a garment blend

Washi fibre is used in garment blends — most commonly with nylon, polyester, and polyurethane for stretch and recovery — rather than as a standalone fibre. In a blend, washi contributes several specific properties:

Dry touch

Washi fibre has a naturally dry surface character. Against the skin, this translates to a feeling that is clean and non-clammy — different from cotton, which can feel slightly heavier and more absorbent. The dry touch quality is particularly relevant for socks and skin-layer applications where moisture management is important.

Natural absorbency

Washi is a cellulose fibre and absorbs moisture. Unlike synthetic fibres (polyester, nylon) which are hydrophobic and repel moisture, washi absorbs moisture and moves it away from the skin. In a sock application, this contributes to a drier wearing experience during normal daily activity.

Antibacterial properties

Some washi fibres are noted for natural antibacterial properties related to the plant source. [VERIFY: confirm antibacterial claims with supplier or manufacturer before publishing; do not state as absolute claim without verification]

Lightweight character

Washi yarn is lightweight relative to its volume. In a sock blend, this contributes to a lighter, less dense feeling than a comparable cotton sock at the same thickness.

Washi in the Washi Knit Sneaker Socks

The Washi Knit Sneaker Socks in the Mercer St. collection use a blend of 46% washi, 38% nylon, 15% polyester, and 1% polyurethane. The washi component is the majority fibre by weight.

The blend is constructed to provide:

• Washi (46%): dry touch, absorbency, lightweight character
• Nylon (38%): durability and abrasion resistance (particularly important at heel and toe in sock applications)
• Polyester (15%): additional structure and shape retention
• Polyurethane (1%): stretch and recovery for fit

The nylon and polyester components are practical additions for sock durability — without them, a washi-majority sock would wear through too quickly at the high-abrasion areas. The polyurethane provides the stretch that allows the sock to fit securely without a separate elastic band.

How washi compares to cotton and synthetic alternatives

Washi as a textile fibre is not a novelty. It is a specific plant-derived cellulose with properties that have been understood in Japanese textile tradition for centuries.

Care for washi blend garments

Washi blend garments — particularly socks — are generally machine washable, but the specific care label should be followed. The washi component is a cellulose fibre and tolerates machine washing better than protein fibres such as wool or silk. However, high-heat drying can affect the dimensional stability of the nylon and polyurethane components. Machine wash on a gentle cycle at 30°C or below; avoid high-heat tumble drying. [VERIFY: confirm care label guidance with Tabio before publishing specific wash claims]

What this means for Mercer St.

The Washi Knit Sneaker Socks are selected as a practical, refined everyday sock — chosen for the dry touch and natural absorbency of the washi component, and for the quality of the Tabio construction. Production details are confirmed with the supplier and noted on the product page.

Related reading

• Why Cotton Feels Different Depending on How It Is Made
• Why I Prefer Natural Fibres — and When Polyester Still Has a Place
• How to Read a Care Label — and Actually Follow It