Читать книгу Holiday Paper Crafts from Japan - Robertta A. Uhl - Страница 6

Introduction

The Chinese invented paper dating back to ancient times. Handmade paper from Japan is traditionally dated as beginning in the eighth century. Since that early date Japan’s Washi paper has become the material of the craftsman, the painter, and the calligrapher.

My Washi craft journey that began more than twenty years ago has reached another exciting high point, allowing me to share and connect with you through my second Washi book, Holiday Paper Crafts from Japan. The amazing part of this incredible craft adventure is that it remains uniquely new, fresh, and exciting. The Western world has just begun to touch the edges of the Washi craft explosion. Fresh experiences will only increase as the craft spreads across America and the rest of the English-speaking world. As Washi paper becomes readily available and people are introduced to the craft, it has the potential to weave its way into everyone’s heart through schools, craft classes, craft stores carrying the products, and internet websites for ordering, just to name the most obvious opportunities. Elegant, beautiful, and functional, Washi paper crafts can add a distinctive touch to any event, occasion, season, or holiday need. I continue to marvel that many of the craft materials in my books are common recyclable household items (paper towel or toilet paper tube, cardboard, milk carton—the list goes on and on). Add the Washi paper and one may create an extremely beautiful objet d’art using simple throwaway items.

Through a diverse array of crafters from the Western world as well as Japan, Washi crafts on Okinawa and mainland Japan continue to provide a wonderful bridge of friendship and understanding between our cultures. The uniqueness of Washi paper is that it is handmade. The long plant fibers are intertwined during the papermaking process, producing sheets of tough and durable paper rich in warm colors and soft texture. The fibrous paper can be rolled, molded, and shaped to fit any surface, beautifying any object. There is no other paper like Washi. Japan produces many wonderful crafts using Washi paper that are seen throughout Japan and elsewhere in Asia. Students from elementary school through high school take classes in Washi crafts. Adults of all ages enjoy Washi classes also. Japan offers many elegant and beautiful Washi kit items that follow specific symmetrical and geometrical forms. It is not uncommon to see students working on Washi projects at craft stores in Tokyo and throughout Japan.

The uniqueness of my Washi experience continues to take me into the world of the abstract, helping me to develop new and exciting projects that bring Washi craft to higher levels of creativity without borders or boundaries. In this book I share some new creations and styles that hopefully will inspire others to expand and create beyond what has already been done. Washi crafts enable our cultures to sit side by side, sharing in rich and wonderful craft experiences. This is a wonderful way to communicate understanding between cultures while imparting beautiful facets of one’s own culture. Even after more than two decades of working with Washi, I remain in awe of the rich heritage of Japanese Washi as it has progressed quietly and unobtrusively through the centuries of Japanese experience. It has played a key role throughout the development of the country, touching many facets of Japanese life. Withstanding the test of time, Washi presently is made only in Japan by farmers who are contracted to produce set limits of unique product. Each year the factories order fixed amounts of Washi based on orders, demands, and projected needs. The factories sell to retailers all over Japan. The network of distribution is rooted in traditions that are just beginning to reach beyond Japan and Asia.

This second Washi book is a simple how-to guide offering easy-to-follow instructions for many holiday Washi crafts. With this starting point, you will be able to create your own exceptional and beautiful Washi works of art. Brighten up the holidays with your creations of Washi paper crafts from Japan.

—Robertta A. Uhl