The term mitsumata means triple (mitsu) branch (mata) and refers to the shape of the shrub.
Mitsumata fiber papers are much more expensive than kozo (cf. this term) papers because cultivation of the shrubs is more difficult. However, it is easier than the cultivation of gampi (cf. this term).
Generally, growing, harvesting and preparation of bark are carried out by farmers who supply raw bark, ready for cooking, to papermakers.
Mitsumata papers have different uses but they are especially popular for calligraphy and printing as they allow fine strokes.
The mitsumata fibers replace those of hemp during the Edo period (1603-1867), but their use had started from the Momoyama period (1573-1615).
Cultivation of mitsumata, as well as kozo, is encouraged at the beginning of the Edo period in the prefecture of Fukui.
The production of paper with mitsumata fibers begin with the papers called shuzenjigami after the name of the locality or Suruga hanshi after the name of the former province, in the prefectures of Shizuoka and Yamanashi. These papers are a mixture of gampi and mitsumata fibers but these terms also refer to paper made with gampi or kozo.
From the Meiji period (1868-1912), Shizuoka is also a production center of mitsumata paper for the manufacture of banknotes.
The valley of the Saji (Tottori prefecture) has become a major producing region of mitsumata and mitsumata papers during the Meiji period.
Currently, annual production is about 360 tons. The main producing prefectures of bark are those of Ehime, Kochi, Tokushima in Shikoku region, Okayama, Shimane in the Chugoku region.
One hundred kilograms of harvested mitsumata gives three to five kilos of paper.
