Travel Light, Take A Class: Part I, Washi Paper Craft in Asakusa

I have returned from a much needed hiatus to reinvigorate my motivation & refresh for the incoming summer months. For 20 days in April I was able to travel abroad to Japan on a trip between Tokyo, Kyoto, & Osaka. During my stay I opted to take several crafts classes, & for traveling artists I cannot recommend this experience enough! In order the three classes I opted for were to craft washi paper, book binding, & ceramics to make Onigawara.

The first class took me to a washi paper making experience in Asakusa, Tokyo. During the Sakura Blossom season it was a good idea to get there early to go see the views of Tokyo Skytree nearby along the Sumida River where you can experience many of these trees in full bloom.

This class is taught by Kazu-San, and for a little over an hour you learn both about the history of washi paper & basic steps to make your own. The paper we made used primarily pulp from mulberry bark & a viscous binding agent known as neri, which helps keep the pulp suspended in the water. Larger sheets of washi paper can be stylized by using large drops of water to create drip patterns in the final product, resulting in a unique texture. Here are some of the pieces I made during this experience, which is a must for visiting artists. In the coming months, I will be seeking to make a paper making station of my own.