Left: A scene of peeling Gampi.
Right: Washi paper with cyanotype.
Valuable Resource
Washi paper is made mainly from water and the bast fibers of plants. Bast fiber is the soft inner skin just inside the epidermis of plants. Among the raw materials, ganpi paper made from ganpi is smooth, has a unique luster, and is durable. In Takigahara Town, it is known as one of the northernmost places where gampi is collected. Gampi grow slowly and grow on steep mountainsides, and there are fewer successors to collect them, making them a valuable resource today.
Search for the Beauty of Nature and Preserve it
In this experience, you will hear about the life culture and history of ganpi, and with washi paper artist Mika Horie as a lecturer, you will experience the work of making washi from ganpi and applying a cyanotype pattern to the washi paper. Cyanotype is a technique in which a subject is placed on paper and exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet rays to create shades of blue. In Takigahara, there are many subjects nearby, such as fallen leaves, flowers, bird feathers, branches and veins. We will hold a workshop to find the beauty of nature that will make you want to make a beautiful blue print under the sun.
Main Instructorʼ s Profile
Mika Horie
Photographic artist from Kyoto. She has been based in Ishikawa Prefecture, where continues to create works based on the traditional technique of printing on handmade paper using the cyanotype method, in which sunlight is used to expose the paper to light.
Siteurl｜https://www.mikahorie.art
WASHI PAPER
和紙
Schedule DAY 1
AM
11:00
After the orientation, we will give a lecture on the natural materials used in washi paper.
PM
12:30
Buffet style lunch with everyone at CAFE.
14:00
It's time to start the experience. First, we start by peeling the ganpi, the material for washi paper.
15:00
Take a short break at tea time.
15:30
The process of boiling gampi in the sunken hearth to soften it.
16:30
Free time. It is also possible to take you to a nearby hot spring.
18:00
Dinner. Enjoy dishes made with Hokuriku ingredients and sake.
21:00
Continue laughing and talking at the MOSS BAR behind CRAFT&STAY.
Schedule DAY 2
AM
08:00
If you wish, let's collect chicken eggs together.
08:30
A Japanese breakfast centered on brown rice for everyone.
10:00
Resuming the experience. Gampi is smashed on a stone to make paper material.
PM
12:00
Lunch.
13:00
Cyanotype Workshop. Take a walk around TAKIGAHARA and look for subjects.
15:00
Tea time.
*The above is an example. There may be some changes on the day.
