1. Why Washi, Now?

Washi is a fundamental form of expression of Japanese culture. This event's aim was to gain understanding of a side of Japanese culture to the people of the US - the number one washi importing country by introducing the traditional process of handmade washi-making. The "wa" in the word "washi" represents "Japan", while also implying the word "harmony". Aimed at today's world with hostilities failing to cease (in today's continuously hostile world ), this event's intention is the wish for harmony with nature. With the tremendous effort of Hiromi Paper International's president, Hiromi Katayama, and the visual arts director of Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Hirokazu Kosaka, this event was made possible.

2. The young handmade washi artisans

The experts, the young artisans of Tosa washi, were chosen and introduced to us by Hiromi Katayama. Tosa washi has long been manufactured since the Heian period (AD.8th Century) and flourished innovatively in the Meiji period (AD. 19th Century). However, taken over by the machination that struck post-World War II, the number of handcrafting washi artisans that peaked more than 200 at its height in Ino-cho, now has dwindled to just the Hamada family. Hironao - the grandson of the third generation Hamada Sajio, whose family have been making Tengucho since 1835 - started his Tengucho-making career in 1997, at age 20. Until then, Hironao was a DJ at a livehouse, deeply devoted to music since his high school days. Four years after his first experience in Tengucho-making which he originally started just to help out, Sajio was chosen as a Living National Treasure of Japan. Currently under the direction of Sajio, the 29 year old Hironao is following in his grandfather's footsteps of Tosa Tengucho style Washi making. His younger brother, Osamu, became mesmerized by art of crafting while working for an interior design company post-graduation. After five years of employment he longed for a novel experience and left the company. He then found his way: his family business of handcrafted papermaking. While guided by his grandfather and older brother, he now learns various techniques from other papermaking artisan as well. In contrast to his older brother who attains the techniques of Tosa Tengucho style washi, he is in-training as an artisan to bring forth his own style of innovative washi.

3. A 1344 mile journey: Introducing washi to the Americans

The theme is "wa" ; the "wa" that connects person to person, the "wa " that connects people to nature. With this concept, the artisans introduced their washi in four cities as they came in contact with the vast land of America through the road trip, and having direct interactions with the people of the audience. It all began in Los Angeles, CA (event held at JACCC, Sept 10), flying over to Boise, ID (Boise State University, Sept 12), a 10 hour drive to Helena, MT (Kumamoto Plaza, Sept 14), and lastly, traveling through Casper, WY, making their down to Denver, CO (Denver Botanical Garden, Sept 17). The caravan covered 1,344 miles on land, 1,957 miles in air, for a grand total of 3,301 miles traveled to present washi to the people of the US! In every event held at each location, a lecture presented by Hiromi Katayama on the manufacturing process of washi along with the explanation by Hirokazu Kosaka and the conversing of the Hamada brothers covered the first half. The latter half consisted of the papermaking demonstration by the brothers who welcomed a few volunteers from the audience to come experience it hands-on. The exchange was significant for both the Americans to experience handcrafted washi that Japan prides itself in, and the Japanese artisans to perform their papermaking overseas.

4. Artistic Metropolis, Los Angeles
(Sunday, Sept 10, at JACCC)

Originally intended to hold the event with a limit of 100 seats, an overwhelming response of 250 people called to reserve. Despite this situation, the event was held successfully upon relocating the event to accommodate the larger audience. Artworks by local artists using washi were on display in the Doizaki Gallery where the lecture was held. The participants ranged from contemporary artists looking to use washi as an art material, to art students, to individuals fascinated by the beauty of washi, to children interested in workshops - totaling close to 300 participants of various interests. As local TV stations and newspapers {publishers} were in attendance to interview, the Americans' interest in washi was reconfirmed. In Los Angeles where a large Japanese-American society inhabits, washi has penetrated into and made its mark in our daily life.

5. Great town of Idaho: Boise
(Tuesday, Sept 12, at Boise State University)

The event in Boise took place on the Boise State University campus. With the University's full support, Professor Jill Fitterer who teaches printmaking in the Department of Art took lead to welcome this event which was held the Student Union and the art studio. In Boise where people are very familiar with arts, students from neighboring universities attended to add up to 120 participants.

6. Helena, a gold rushed town nestled in the Rocky Mts

We left Boise at 8 in the morning and arrived at the town of Helena, encased by mountains, after a whole day's driving. At arrival the weather was fair and still warm, but temperature immediately dropped below 40 degrees Fahrenheit by following day, with scattered rain. Due to rapid change of weather, the outdoors location was rearranged indoors, and equipment set for the lecture and demonstration were relocated. Fewer participants were expected as a result of weather, but our expectations were exceeded by a full-house of more than 70 local participants. The people of Helana who reside in nature showed great fascination in the cohabitation of man and nature of handcrafted washi. The local newspaper reported on first page the young artisans who traveled a great distance.

7. City on a plateau: Denver / Mile-high city: Denver

Our initial plan of driving from Helena through Yellowstone to Denver was rearranged to travel through Casper due to the immediate change of weather. On the road, we faced the great nature of America including the intense rain and lightening, and stretch of road baked by the glaring sun. Denver Botanic Gardens welcomed our event and gathered a total of 160 audiences in our morning and matinee lecture. For the people of Denver who rarely have the chance to take washi in their own hands, this proved to be a noteworthy event as people ran their fingers across the sample washi in the gallery.

8. From here on out

The young artisans are no different from the norm of young Japanese today; trendy and fashionable, passionate about music or fishing. At the same time, they hold papermaking by hand, a family business, as their career. It is not a career they were imposed upon as family business, but rather, as an occupation they chose. This is evident through their pride and confidence. We speculate and anticipate that the experiences of this trip for the brothers are likely to bring fruitful results in their artisan career to pass on tradition to the next. To be able to carry out such an event, I'd like to thank again Hiromi Katayama of the Hiromi Paper International, Hirokazu Kosaka of JACCC, the brothers Hironao and Osamu Hamada, the staff who supported us at various locations, and the participants who took interest in washi.

The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
www.jflalc.org