This is How The World's Thinnest Paper is Made in Japan

Great Big Story brings us many wonders of the modern world that always have us riveted. In this clip, they take us around a tour of the famous Hidaka Washi factory in Japan known for making the world's thinnest paper.

"In Japan, one company is taking paper thinner than it’s ever been before. Hidaka Washi Ltd. creates paper as thin as human skin, using methods that date back a thousand years. The paper is then sent to museums and libraries around the world—including the British Museum and the Library of Congress—and is used to restore and protect books and works of art," says the video's description.

The company claims their work is focused on the theme of "Washi" not just papermaking, which is reflected in the firm's name. "Hidaka Washi originated as the TENGU Export Paper Union in 1949 with 10 paper-making craftsmen living in a valley called Kusaka. At that time, hand-made tengu was popular for export as typewriter paper," explains the company's about section.

Hidaka Washi has maintained the traditional handmade papermaking techniques employed by those early craftsmen but also improved and refined them with the latest technologies. "Since the era of handmade Japanese Paper, we have concentrated on making washi by applying traditional skills and methods to meet the demands of the times," claims the firm.