Is Kaishi the world oldest paper towel?
Kaishi, small Japan papers folded in half, used in Japanese tea ceremony, is handy stuff and easy to carry inside a kimono. It was used as a paper towel as well as napkin, paper tray, and note pad to write poems. It would be an expensive paper towel, but I think it was fashionable to have Kaishi for Samurai and Chajin back in those days, just like modern day people want to have the latest PDA.
A paper towel used be called a "Kitchen Towel" in Japan. A roll of paper towels by the sink is as familiar sight as a coffee maker or micro-wave in our modern kitchen in any city in the world today. I wonder what would happen if everyone started using cloth towels. It could increase water consumption, but it may save more than a few trees.
Once people found an easier way, it's hard to go back to the old way. Then again, if the price of paper shoots up like gasoline price did, a paper towel could be a thing of the past. So there goes toilet paper too, today's Japanese style wash-let and hot-air dry toilet may really be the answer.
How about Christmas Trees and Chopsticks, can we quit using them to save our environment or just make them from plastics.
