Yatsuo paper was originally used for medicine wrapping and as such it had to be tough, waterproof and decorative. For many years the local washi industry thrived, but with the advent of mechanised paper printing and production, the traditional skills began to be valued less and less.

Local boy Keisuke Yoshida decided to save what he could of this disappearing art from the 1930s on. As he tirelessly promoted Yatsuo paper, he came across the famous stencil artist Keisuke Serizawa. Using Serizawa's designs and Yoshida's expertise, the Keijusha workshop was born.