In Japan, since the method of making paper was introduced from China around the 7th century, a unique paper called " washi " has been made and used for various purposes. In the mid-Heian period, it began to be used as clothing , and because it was durable and easy to carry, it was made into monk's robes and jinbaori (summer coats). In nature, there are creatures that have acquired and put to use superior papermaking techniques long before humans.

It's a bee .

Wasps are known to be unique architects, and the materials and shapes of their nests and the methods they use are all different. Paper wasps, which can be found all over Japan, build their nests out of paper.

First, the paper wasp scrapes off a branch or plant with its strong jaws, then puts it into its mouth little by little and continues to chew. The fiber of the plant gradually loosens and becomes mushy when it mixes with saliva containing a special ingredient. It carries the plant to a place it likes, and skillfully uses its jaws and legs to stretch it thinly and create a nest.

This process is the same as the principle of paper making, which involves breaking down plant fibers, dissolving them in water, straining them, and drying them. It is particularly similar to the method of making handmade Japanese paper, which is unique to Japan. The finished paper wasp nest has a texture similar to Japanese paper, but is also strong, light, and water-resistant.

Paper wasp nest building begins in the spring with a single queen bee waking up from hibernation. When one nest chamber is completed, the queen bee lays an egg and moves on to building the next chamber. This process is repeated many times, and as the larvae grow and emerge, they join the work, so the nest gradually grows larger. This is a technique that has been passed down since long before humans discovered papermaking.