"This collage was created by Eleanor Burkett for the special copies of 'Washi Memories'. It incoporates a variety of papers from the papermaking village of Kamikawasaki. Persimmon dye, traditionally used to strengthen and waterproof paper, has been applied to some."--Statement accompanying the collage.
Summary:
This new title from the Press offers an important record of a bygone era of Japanese papermaking in the Fukushima province of Japan, in particular the work of families in the village of Kamikawasaki. The book is introduced by paper and textile artist Eleanor Burkett, and has a foreword by renowned paper historian, Sidney E. Berger. Eleanor has also written texts to accompany each of the photographs, based on conversations that she has had with papermakers there past and present. Thirty atmospheric black-and-white photographs recording the families at work in the 1950s are each accompanied by a commentary detailing the processes used. Each group of photographs is preceded by a heading in Japanese script printed from original calligraphy by Yoko Hashimoto. Samples of eleven papers that were once made in the area are included in each copy; they include pure kozo papers, dyed papers (pink and indigo of various shades), walnut-dyed crushed papers, and papers with petals. Additionally, the compliments slip of two papermakers printed on their own hand-made papers are tipped in.--provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.