Renowned Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa is an important fixture in the world of contemporary design. He has worked with some of the largest and most prestigious companies in Japan, Scandinavia, Europe and Asia. He is the recipient of numerous international awards and his CD player, designed for Muji, is part of the permanent collection at the MOMA in New York City.

Fukasawa has teamed up with the Japanese paper (washi) making company, ONAO, to create the SIWA collection of soft, flexible and rip-proof paper products. Fukasawa discerned that the special texture of Naoron, a paper developed by ONAO, emerged when the paper was crumpled, and suggested designs for everyday goods. The Naoron paper used to create this collection is, indeed, remarkable. It is highly water resistant and can carry heavy loads (up to 10 kgs). SIWA (pronounced shiwa) means 'wrinkle' in Japanese and is also a play on the word "washi".

ONAO is located in Yamanashi, a rural area near Mt. Fuji -- and area boasting a washi-making history spanning 1000 years. It is a family run company that has been making Japanese paper for over 150 years.