“Usutan Craft” is a “charcoal paper” made from unused resources. Inspired by recycled paper from the Shosoin Treasure House

“Usutan Craft” is a “charcoal paper” made from unused resources. Inspired by recycled paper from the Shosoin Treasure House ​
Paper Press release: October 16, 2025 “Usutan Craft” is a “charcoal paper” made from unused resources. Inspired by recycled paper from the Shosoin Treasure House Recreated recycled paper from 1,300 years ago in modern times. Inspired by Japan’s ancient culture of recycled paper, we developed a recyclable packaging material made from biochar and recycled paper.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/78028/22/78028-22-acbf3a983f7e21156b78e507ec0b9787-1920×1280.jpg

Papal Corporation (Headquarters: Nara City, Nara Prefecture; Representative Director: Takehiro Yada) developed a new material, “Usuzumi Craft,” inspired by the recycled paper culture of the Nara and Heian periods in October 2025, and will release it in November. The impetus for the development came when the company’s developers heard that “recycled paper was already in existence in the Nara period.” Deeply moved by the fact that a culture of resource recycling already existed in Japan more than 1,300 years ago, the company recreated that wisdom using modern technology to create “Usuzumi Craft.” The impetus for development came from hearing that Shosoin Treasures contained some of the oldest recycled paper in Japan. A company development manager happened to be chatting with an expert about the treasures of the Shosoin Repository at a meeting when he heard that “one of Japan’s oldest recycled papers exists.” This paper, called “shukushi,” was made by refining and reusing used paper. Long before modern-day calls for “sustainability” and “decarbonization,” a culture of coexisting with nature and using resources carefully was deeply rooted in Japan for over 1,300 years. I was deeply moved by this fact and thought, “I want to recreate this Shukugami in modern times at all costs!” This became the starting point for developing “Usuzumi Craft”. The recycled paper culture known as “shukugami” continued from the Nara period to the Meiji period. Paper has been considered a valuable resource since ancient times, and there was a tradition of “sukugami,” where used paper was remade and reused. During the Nara period, it was used for the scrolls of the Shosoin treasures, and during the Heian period, it was used as paper for official documents, including imperial edicts (Rinji), which convey the Emperor’s orders. The culture of sukugami continued to be passed down, albeit in different forms, through the Sengoku period and the Edo and Meiji periods, supporting Japan’s “culture of resource circulation.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/78028/22/78028-22-6b6286e633e3d7808849f0dc46706727-986×720.jpg Emperor Go-Nara’s Rescript (Shukushi) Source: Kokugakuin University Library The feel of shukugami paper is recreated using biochar, a material made from unused resources. “Usutan Craft” is a recycled paper that captures the texture and feel of traditional shukugami paper using modern technology. By mixing biochar, made from unused resources such as food waste, with recycled cardboard, we have recreated the soft gray color and natural texture of shukugami paper. Biochar is a new resource obtained by carbonizing rice husks, vegetables, and other materials. It is an environmentally friendly material that can reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and fix them. It also has a deodorizing effect. This paper combines beauty, functionality, and environmental friendliness.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/78028/22/78028-22-8829346654af91f4988c9c892d652b50-775×505.jpg Soft gray hue achieved from “biochar” and recycled cardboard Spreading the use of biochar from paper Usutan Craft is not only a sustainable material, but also aims to spread awareness of the new resource known as “biochar” throughout society. In addition to being used for paper, biochar can also be spread on fields to reduce CO2 emissions, contributing to agriculture and local recycling. Through this paper, Paperl aims to promote a “modern circular culture” in which companies and communities utilize their own waste. For more information, please visit the official website. ​ As one option for expressing your brand’s vision We have prepared a certification label that allows you to display the Usutan Craft logo and description on your products. This clearly communicates your sustainable stance along with your brand’s vision. For use cases, please visit the Usuzumi Craft official Instagram.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/78028/22/78028-22-b05d43e7b5e5449a25fb36e2d4c1e847-1200×579.jpg Usutan Kraft Certification Label Original paper can also be developed You can also develop your own original closed-loop recycled paper by turning your company’s vegetable and rice husk waste into biochar. You can share your unique upcycling story through packaging, business cards, novelties, and more. Product overview Product Name: Usuzumi Craft Certification: FSC-certified recycled paper Composition: Recycled cardboard biochar-blended recycled paper (100% recycled paper) Color: Soft gray x kraft paper (reproduces the light ink color of Shukugami paper) Features: Carbon neutralization / Deodorizing effect / Upcycling Specifications: L size, T-shaped, 310g / K size, T-shaped and Y-shaped, 310g (separate paper available) Uses: From packaging for cosmetics, sweets, miscellaneous goods, stationery, etc. to business cards and cards WEB: https://usuzumi-craft.com/ About Paper Co., Ltd. Since its founding in Nara in 1890 (Meiji 23), Paper has supported Japan’s paper culture through the sale of paper for 135 years. Since obtaining FSC®/COC certification in 2008, we have been promoting our SDGs by providing society with the recyclable material of paper and conducting educational activities. To further expand our SDGs efforts, we launched a project to develop “food waste paper” in April 2020, developing paper made from upcycled materials such as “kome-kami” and “craft beer paper.” Starting in 2023, we will launch “zero CO2 paper.” Our goal is to support Japan’s forestry industry through the sale of paper offset solely by forest carbon credits. We aim to offset 50 tons by 2025. As a new development, we have launched “GX Ivory Single-Sided-FS,” a virtually zero-CO2 packaging paper.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/78028/22/78028-22-77c5e35cb7a58b80a9dc47e517f064e9-960×626.png Paper Co., Ltd. Company Profile Company name: Paper Co., Ltd. location : 76-7 Ikeda-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture Representative: Takehiro Yada Established: 1890 (Meiji 23) Website: http://www.pepal.co.jp/ Usuzumi Craft official website: https://usuzumi-craft.com/ Carbo Paper official website: https://www.pepal.co.jp/carbowrite/ GX Ivory Single Side-FS: https://zeroco2paper.com/gxivory ZERO CO2 PAPER:
https://zeroco2paper.com/ kome-kami official website:
https://foodlosspaper.com/kome-kami Roughtacto-FS official website: https://www.pepal.co.jp/roughtacto/ automatically, so please do not reply.