By Hannah Wheeler, Johanna Mitra

Feb 19 2025

From its use of local and natural materials, the methods and artistry with which it is crafted, and its influence in preserving and sharing stories and knowledge, the art of paper-making has cemented its role within many cultures’ heritage and traditions. Yet, despite wide-ranging techniques, material availability, and paper usage, there remain fascinating commonalities in this art across cultures. In this two-part series, we explore paper-making practices in Madagascar and Japan, two countries featured in the NYBG’s ongoing herbarium digitization efforts.