there are several washi workshops in the area. all of them are trying to find ways to boost demand for the handmade paper. one idea is to make products that reflect a contemporary lifestyle. this tokyo cafe has added a seasonal touch by putting snowflake decorations in its windows. they are made of washi. the unique qualities of the paper make its fibers visible. the snowflakes have fuzzy edges. >> translator: i find them calming to look at. they're soft and they make me feel relaxed. >> i could fly some back to hong kong to decorate my windows. >> reporter: it only takes a bit of water to put a snowflake on the window. that makes it easy to remove and use again. >> translator: i think it's great that washi can be used like this. >> reporter: artisans from a washi workshop in mino and the president of a local company that makes paper products, created the snowflake design. satomi matsuura is one of the artisans. she used to work as a graphic designer in tokyo. she quit her job ten years ago and moved to mino. >> translator: i thin

workshop. he's tutoring a french artist. she was trained in new york in weaving and other textile work. the plan to hold an exhibition of washifabric and thread in paris. >> i think that there were so many possibilities when i came and i saw what they do, and i mean they're really inspiring people. >> reporter: france has seen a recent upsurge of interest in washi. a french nature photographer plans to exhibit his own work printed on washi that benoit made. >> pictures are like paintings. when you take the picture, you have a landscape like a painting. washi, i think, is a very good approach. >> reporter: washi is used to repair works of art such as florentine pictures. >> the japanese paper, the washi, is very nice, and beautiful paper because it has long fibers, and it's very strong. and strong enough. >> reporter: he dreams of sharing the wonders of washi with his children's generation. >> translator: i want to help spread the use of washi for clothing and other purposes. and i want everyone to know that it's environmentally friendly. >> reporter: from a small town in the south of france he's working to spread japan's wash