Gampi Explained

Gampi or ganpi^[1] are a group of Japanese shrubs, members of the genus Wikstroemia, some of which have been used for making paper since the 8th century.^[2] It is used to make the high quality washi paper, as are the kōzo and mitsumata trees.^[3]

Various sources have identified gampi or ganpi as:

• Wikstroemia albiflora Yatabe: known as Miyama ganpi in Japan^[4]
• Wikstroemia canescens (Wall.) Meisn. (syn. Diplomorpha canescens): a south Asian plant
• Wikstroemia diplomorpha:^[5] not a valid systematic name
• Wikstroemia ganpi (Siebold & Zucc.) Maxim.: known as Ko ganpi in Japan^[4]
• Wikstroemia kudoi Makino: Endemic to Kyushu (Yakushima). Known as Shakunan-ganpi in Japan.^[6]
• Wikstroemia pauciflora (Franch. & Sav.) Makino: known as Sakura ganpi in Japan^[4]
• Wikstroemia pseudoretusa Koidz.: Endemic to the Ogasawara Islands. Known in Japan as Munin-aoganpi.^[6]
• Wikstroemia retusa A.Gray:^[7] known in Japan as Ao ganpi^[4]
• Wikstroemia sikokiana Franch. & Sav.^[8] (syn. Diplomorpha sikokiana): known in Japan as Ganpi^[4]
• Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino: used for paper-making in China, Korea and Japan;^[9] known as Ki ganpi in Japan.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Taylor. Travis. Gampi. Oriental papermaking fibres. University of Melbourne, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The Centre for Cultural Materials Preservation. 9 July 2012. 2007-08-20.
2. Book: Salter, Rebecca . Japanese woodblock printing . 38 . 2001 . . 978-0-8248-2553-9 . registration .
3. Web site: Washi - Japanese paper. InfomapJapan. 9 July 2012.
4. Web site: M.M.P.N.D. - Sorting Wikstroemia names. www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au. 22 April 2018.
5. Uncited statement in Wikipedia article on Rice paper
6. http://foj.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp/gbif/foj/ Flora of Japan
7. Web site: Gampi. Untitled pdf document. Cornell University Library: Department of Preservation and Maintenance. 9 July 2012. Wikstroemia misspelled as Wikstreomia and Diplomorpha sikokiana misspelled as Diplomorphs in this source
8. Web site: Wikstroemia sikokiana - Franch.&Sav.. Plants for a Future. 9 July 2012.
9. Web site: Wikstroemia trichotoma (Thunb.) Makino. khartasia-crcc.mnhn.fr. 22 April 2018.