Konnyaku Treatment - Make Paper Stronger More Like Fabric!

Konnyaku starch works like magic - You can make your own Momigami (crumpled/kneaded paper), or Kamiko (paper clothing). Konnyaku treatment is a traditional technique in Japan that can increase paper’s durability and flexibility, without losing its charm.
In this video, our Fine Paper Specialist, Sigrid Blohm will provide detailed information including: What is konnyaku? How to make konnyaku solution and how to apply it to washi (authentic Japanese paper).
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Chapters
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0:00 What is konnyaku
1:11 Equipment
2:08 Ingredients
2:15 How to prepare konnyaku solution
6:55 How to apply konnyaku solution to washi
7:55 Applying konnyaku to Kurotani No.16
10:25 Applying konnyaku to Akebono Autumn
11:02 Removing excess konnyaku solution
11:49 Crumpling Kurotani No.16
12:54 Crumpling Akebono Autumn
13:56 Applying konnyaku to Kinari Chiri and crumpling
15:34 Opening and drying konnyaku treated washi
17:10 Comparing results
18:06 Crumpling paper after drying: Kizuki Somegami Green
19:30 The JPP products for konnyaku treatment
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Products in the video
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-CSS10448 Konnyaku Powder - 50g
www.japanesepaperplace.com/ko...
-CSS11563 Noribake Brush
www.japanesepaperplace.com/br...
-CON1110 Kurotani No.16
www.japanesepaperplace.com/ku...
-TRN10126 Akebono Autumn
www.japanesepaperplace.com/ak...
-SCK13733 Kizuki Somegami Green
www.japanesepaperplace.com/ki...
-CHR2137 Kinari Chiri
www.japanesepaperplace.com/ki...
-POT13522 Konnyaku Kit
www.japanesepaperplace.com/ko...
See all products on our website: www.japanesepaperplace.com/
#craft #papercraft #momigami #washi #arttutorial #arttechniques #textile

[@swannwillow9476]

Great tutorial! Thanks for showing us the traditional way of doing this. Very interesting even though I don't think I will try it just yet. I have too many irons in the fire as the moment. I will save this video and watch it again in 6 months. Have a great day 🌼🩵🌺

[@dayaweerasena941]

thank you. Very important.

[@vantasiascauldron1861]

Thank you! I do enjoy this method.

[@donnadees1971]

Love the sound of the papers…

[@user-pb9vg8et9d]

Very interesting! Thanks for the clear explanation and demonstration.

[@123uschie]

Thank you this answered some questions I had. I can’t wait to give it a try!

[@yaelglickman5110]

Great explanation, thank you :)

[@parastoonasr6328]

Wonderful. Thank you. I so appreciate the tradition and techniques of Japanese paper making. ❤

[@mh8704]

Hi! My mom is Japanese so I eat a lot of Japanese food. Konnyaku jelly is one of my favorites! Is this powdered form edible too? Sometimes I can’t get the edible jelly here so wondered if the powder would be a way to make it? Thanks for the video too! I’m learning paper sculpting techniques and this would be very useful to make paper clothes for the sculptures.

[@bigriverbindery]

Great video. Thanks for explaining it so well.

[@the_jpp]

Glad it was helpful!😊

[@BlueZion9]

Excellent work and presentation.

[@the_jpp]

Glad you liked it!

[@sheliaporter6795]

I love this idea. Definitely something I want to try doing. Thank you! ❤😊

[@the_jpp]

It is really useful for many types of projects, even for paper sculpturing with molds. Let us know how did you like it! 😉

[@maramakesjournals2319]

Thank you! Your video is EXACTLY what I was looking for.

[@the_jpp]

So glad to hear it! We noticed that there aren't many authentic momigami making videos available.

[@maramakesjournals2319]

@@the_jpp 💜💜💜

[@studioplanetesilhouette]

Super tutorial ! Unfortunately I don't live in Canada anymore and am in France. So I had to order my Konjac powder from Amaz... Would of loved to participate in your workshops, and same thing : too far... Too bad it is not available as a Live workshop on Zoom or else... The one with the lovely minature clothes seems so awesome ! Just clicked on the Subscribe button ! Thanks for all the tips !

[@susannahyoung5859]

I have devil’s tongue in my garden. Is there a way I could process it for the paste? I found this video very interesting and the methods clearly explained. I will look for other videos from you. Thank you

[@artyfartyannie]

Such a lovely clear tutorial, thank you very much :)

[@the_jpp]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you

[@lauranagae6553]

Olá, poderia substituir konhaku por kanten?

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

INteresting video. I followed your links to the products used. Goodness, there's a lot of gatekeeping on your site, even to find the resellers. Typically, links are provided under videos to increase sales, not to protect your gates. My suggestion to you is to at least make it easy to find resellers, without needing to go through PID data.

[@MagpieOnTheMoon]

I had the same experience, but I emailed the company directly and inquired about resellers in the U.S. They responded by sending me a list of resellers and the resellers web sites. There were 4... one is going out of business, another didn't have washi online (or anything else I was looking for), and I haven't checked the other 2 yet. I ended up purchasing the konnyaku on Amazon... it's just the root powder, so food grade seemed like a fine substitute for the brand in the video.

[@leapNTP411]

could you use konnyaku on old newspaper to give it strength?? To date, I've been adding clear gesso - but maybe konnyaku would make it more fabric-like??

[@lesliejohnson6326]

How does the konnyaku treatment affect using ink, paints, etcetera on the paper? Best to do that before the konnyaku, or can you do that afterwards too?

[@the_jpp]

Great question! You can apply colour both before and/or after treating the washi with Konnyaku. If you use paint or ink prior to using konnyaku, you want to be sure the the colour will not migrate when it gets wet. Because konnyaku works as a light sizing, you will find that the washi is less absorbent after treatment, and wet media will not be absorbed by the the paper as readily.

[@carlosalbertoavendanorestr163]

@the_jpp Hello. I'm interested in using shirataki noodles as a substitute for konnyaku flour to create the fiber network in momigami. Could you share your thoughts on whether shirataki noodles could work well for this purpose, given your expertise in traditional momigami materials? Thank you.

[@the_jpp]

Hi, shiraraki noodle is made from solidified konnyaku solution and it will not dissolve again. We think it can not be used as a substitute konnyaku powder.

[@lorenza6431]

Que otro nombre tiene el polvo ? Estoy en Colombia Gracias

[@the_jpp]

Hi, konnyaku is also known as konjaku, konnyaku potato, devil's tongue, or Amorphophallus konjac.

[@gillyb44]

Thank you for your video. I used tapioca starch and used it the same as konnyaku. But my fabric paper looks nice but tears easily. So Konnyaku would be better?

[@the_jpp]

I’m not familiar with using tapioca starch, but I suspect that it's your paper that isn’t strong enough. This technique works best using papers that have a high kozo content (80% +). Kozo fibres are long and provide good wet strength when you are crumpling the damp sheets. Konnyaku adds some strength and abrasion resistance, but the stronger the paper you start with the stronger your results will be. - Sigrid

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

Would a small wisk stir it better than a spoon? Of course not used to actually whip.

[@the_jpp]

A whisk would work to stir the konnyaku with, but I wouldn’t necessarily choose to use one. The konnyaku granules really stick to the stirring stick before they are fully dissolved, and need to be scraped off the stick periodically so that it doesn’t clump. A whisk would be hard to scrape off…

[@KevanArt]

I would like more information on the properties, qualities and performance of this product. Since it is a natural starch, is it hydrophilic? Will it be softened in humid environments? Will it be food for pests? You mentioned water resistance, curious.... So it cures and resists water? Does age or light break it down, or yellow it? Is the crinkling of it to add texture an aesthetic choice or does it have some purpose. Can it be left flat? Is this similar in affect to using a gel medium to coat paper? What would be the advantage or disadvantage? thanks so much! has my brain thinking of possibilities!

[@the_jpp]

Hi Kevan, thank you for your questions: I'll try my best to answer them! Konnyaku-treated paper does resist water, but will eventually absorb it ...just much more slowly than if it were not treated. For this reason some artists, including me sometimes, use it as a sizing on paper, brushing the konnyaku on and letting the paper dry flat without crumpling. I've not used gel medium to coat paper, so I'm not sure if it would be similar. I imagine that gel medium might give the paper a plastic-feel, which konnyaku does not; konnyaku gives washi a kind of crisp feeling. The purpose for crumpling is to create a kind of elasticity...the crumpled paper can be stretched out in the same way that the pleats of an accordion can be stretched out. Crumple the paper if you want to use it for making practical items like pouches or for stitching or other 3-D applications. In Japan, momigami, strong kozo paper treated with konnyaku and crumpled, was made into durable clothing, called kamiko. I suppose that treated paper might be food for pests, but I haven't specifically heard of issues with this. I haven't seen issues with yellowing either, though light will break anything down with time so don't leave anything in direct sun for extended periods! Sigrid

[@bobbiwest6625]

Im look up the powder. Is it really konjac powder. I do have that powder in my pantry. Lol, great process, i love your papers. Take care,be safe.

[@the_jpp]

Yes! Thank you

[@rabbitgregory9289]

If I want to use the momigami paper in a collage (instead of sewing it) will I have any problems getting the glue to hold? Does the konnyaku treatment hold up if the paper becomes wet again? Great lesson. Thanks.

[@the_jpp]

Glue will still hold momigami (konnyaku-treated paper) so you should have no problem using it in collage. The crumpling might flatten out a bit when the momigami is wet with adhesive and you press it down to make it stick. If there is a lot of konnyaku on the paper it might get a bit sticky if it gets wet. If you were to really soak the paper in water some of the konnyaku might rinse out, but this shouldn't be an issue in a collage if you are working over it with wet media.

[@bobbinsew]

Why do you crumple the paper? Also can I use Mulberry paper in this process? I’ve loads in my stash, it would be good to use it this way!

[@the_jpp]

With crumpling, you can get an interesting texture and also the paper becomes more flexible. You can make it without crumpling too. We are not sure what types of mulberry paper you have, but it would work if the paper is strong enough when it's wet. The higher the kozo content, the stronger will be.

[@LittleWillie1000]

I have konjac root in my cupboard that I use in my smoothies to keep my appetite down. My question is can I use that?

[@the_jpp]

We haven't tried ourselves yet but it says if the root is dried well, you can make into powder. The powder should be very fine to be dissolved. Konnyaku smoothie sounds great though! 😋

[@3Artive]

Would it be possible to do the mixing in a personal blender if one’s hands/fingers aren’t quite up to the job of constantly mixing the solution in the beginning?

[@the_jpp]

A blender might work, though I've not tried it. I imagine that you'd need to scrape the sides with a spatula pretty often -- the gelling granules like to stick to the sides of the mixing jar. Mixing in a tightly sealed mason-type jar and shaking it works quite well.

[@jariseri5583]

Is there any different to use tapioca powder or rice flour?

[@the_jpp]

We have heard of some people trying tapioca powder, but don't have any experience with it ourselves. Rice flour is used to make paste and is really too sticky to use like konnyaku -- you'll end up glueing your paper together.

[@GenuineLhachwen]

It looked more like a gel than a paste. I know, real subtle distinction 😆🤣

[@nbenefiel]

The only Konnyaku I could find is in sheets. Can I use that? Where can you get the paper?

[@the_jpp]

We're not familiar with konnyaku in sheets. Konnyaku that is solid (as in noodles and solid paste for stews) won't dissolve again and so can't be used for treating paper. If you email [e-mail] with your location we can suggest resellers where you can get the paper, and konnykau powder too!

[@janhulse9518]

why are other videos saying oil and hand lotion? too confusing to try now.

[@the_jpp]

We don't really know... someone came up with the idea and spread it on the internet. We realized it and wanted to present the authentic way for the best result with archival quality. Chemical substance in hand lotion or hair cream can cause stain or deterioration over the time.

[@mysequineye8805]

The oil and lotion use is not authentic momigami.

[@donnadees1971]

But what do you make out of the paper?

[@the_jpp]

Traditionally it is used for clothing, just like fabric. Some people combine it with leather as well. You can also make 3D objects using molds. It is quite versatile and the possibility is limitless!

[@sislertx]

Well..freezer paper and an iron works real well..no wrinkles..

[@dawsie]

It would have been nice if the website link was a active link as we can not copy paste anything made in the description or comments sections. Same with the items listed. For me to do manually typing in the informations I first must do a screen dump and crop down to the part needed then convert the the picture so the writing is black and the background is white, some will ask why not just write it down. I have dyslexia just writing this in the comments took me 30 minutes because I have to read it and correct it, because when typing I think I have hit the right key only to see that I have hit the one of the ones surrounding the correct letter, or spell checker has decided to change the word because of hitting the incorrect keys. I don’t see things the same way as someone who does not have dyslexia. There is no one type of dyslexia, every person who has dyslexia can be different from the next person with dyslexia. I see letters backwards I write words in reverse, it takes a lot of concentration to write things normal, with the added off cantered look of the keys, it takes a lot of concentration. Yjuw egre it cN I left that in so that you can see what I thought I had typed but had to be corrected. This is what happens when I don’t look at the words that I type, I then have to work out what it was I was trying to type in the first place. Sometimes I have to write the long way around to say something simple. I unlike so many of my age group was taught to read and write by my Mom before I got to school, so many people in my age group were not as lucky and because of this they were deemed unteachable because dyslexia was not a known thing back in the 60’s and 70’s. I was 24 when diagnosed with dyslexia when I was sent for a IQ test. Dyslexia comes in many shapes and forms,from seeing a simple word in reverse because they make different words written forward to backwards. To seeing the keyboard off cantered, to the extreme where lines merge and scramble many people have very mild dyslexia which is easy to live with it’s just seeing letters in reverse, others see this as well as things off centred to the extremes where the,lines are not straight and merge into each other. I am in the middle just bad enough to slow me down when tired and not as alert as I should be.

[@the_jpp]

Thank you for your feedback! We have added active links to all of our products recommended on our video description. We truly appreciate your time and effort to write to us 🙏

[@user-kj2oo7yl8g]

This is too complicated . One needs specialised paper,which is quite expensive. Shame... Also, the glue she is making can be obtained in a simple way. Good try,though

[@the_jpp]

There are many videos that show simplified methods with inexpensive materials. However we found that there was none showing the authentic way to achieve the best result with archival quality. That was the reason why we made this video.

[@IronEarthDesigns]

Whether something is too complicated depends on your intention with the material or the project. I'm not connected at all with this company, but I have a certain irritation with this attitude. Quality and skill takes time, commitment, and sometimes sacrifice. And you're not entitled to be taught (for free, no less!) the cheapest, quickest, and/or easiest way to do something. There is a difference between say, a hamburger and Kobe beef. You get to choose which to eat, but not to denigrate the Kobe sellers for not selling at a discount. A less expensive way to do this process is to make small or mini versions of a paper project. Also the idea of "penny-wise and pound foolish" is often true. One often has to replace the "cheap" item multiple times because it's broken, or faded, etc. You ultimately spend the same amount, or more than of buying the expensive item initially. Finally, your time is worth something too. What is the "cost" of spending hours on a project that will look shoddy in 6 months?

[@heikesiegl2640]

It is called japanese paper place and not Junk Journal DIY Not interested in history and authentic ways people did things back then, well then just look up another video

[@guizachristiane4824]

I do it with every paper, even napkin. So it must not be expensive....it depends on you.

[@NpPGreenacres]

Good point. Can we make those expensive materials with substitutes that we don't hv to buy. I respect your view. I find other comments, like the Kobe beef, disrespectful and very snobby. Snobbiness and creativity are counterproductive. Not a good match! If starch is the key... let's get creative and expt how to do it in our environment, homes. Snobbiness boo! 🎉🎉🎉