Hiromi
Paper International proudly introduces "Izumo Mingeishi,"
a handmade 100% Mitsumata, colored paper that is carried exclusively
by HPI and New York Central Art Supply.
10
colors are in stock and a sample book is available for $5.00.
Mitsumata
Fibers yield a sheet that has a smooth, lustrous quality similar
to Gampi, but with a warmer, softer touch. The web of fine
fibers absorbs the colorants with a slight irregularity, giving
the sheets rich, shimmering tonalities.
Izumo
Mingeishi papers are 37"x25" in size, the weight is 35 gm2.
The price is $15.00 per sheet. These colored sheets are excellent
for both traditional and digital printmaking, calligraphy,
and countless other creative possibilities.
Izumo
Mingeishi is made by the Abe household in Yakumo village where
paper has been made for over 1300 years. While once there
were 30 paper making households in the village, now there
are only two.
Shinichiro Abe with portrait of grandfather, Eishiro Abe
Eishiro Abe (1902-1984) was the first paper maker to be designated as a national living treasure by the Japanese government. His family's livelihood was papermaking and he became involved with it at an early age. Since Yakumo village was not a major producer of Washi, he was determined to study high quality techniques, and entered the Shimane Prefecture Industrial laboratory at age 21.
In 1931, Soetsu Yanagi, the founder of the Japanese folk craft movement was impressed with Eishiro Abe's skillful work with washi. Since then, Abe participated in Mr. Yanagi's folk craft movement along with Bernard Leach and Kanjiro Kawai (ceramics), Shiko Munakata (woodblock printmaking) and Kosuke Serizawa (weaving and dyeing).
Through
part of this movement, Mr. Abe maintained his originality
in washi making and eventually created several kinds of dyed
papers based on the traditions of his village with an added
modern artistic sense. These papers are the "Izumo Mingeishi"
which H.P.I. is so proud to present.
Eishiro
Abe and his paper making skills, as well as his research into
ancient washi making techniques are well known through exhibitions
in the U.S., France, and China. In 1983 he established the
"Abe Eishiro Memorial Hall," a repository for important examples
of washi, folk crafts, and art works that is open to the public.
In
1984, Eishiro Abe passed away, but handed on his heart and
techniques to his grandson Shinichiro Abe. ShinichiroÕs washi
uses only hand selected 100% Mitsumata, and each sheet is
strong and grand looking. In 1998, he was appointed as "Intangable
Cultural Treasure" by Shimane Prefecture.
Izumo Mingeshi logo
We
hope as many of our friends and customers can manage to see
and touch his "Izumo Mingeishi" to appreciate the true beauty
of this paper.
Perhaps
Bernard Leach best described the special qualities of Izumo
Mingeishi in a letter dated 1954. "I have used Mr. Abe EishiroÕs
hand made papers for drawing, writing, mounting and other
purposes for many years. I am thankful to him for their friendly
character and the honesty of the materials out of which they
are madeÉ the hidden love and care involved silently requests
an artist or a writer to employ the same human qualities when
using it".
Abe House
|
