"United As One"

  First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude as a Japanese citizen for all of the generous support our country has received from around the world following the tragic earthquake that hit Eastern Japan.

    All around the world, news media reported the surprising footages of victims in line for the distribution of relief supplies and goods, all waiting in an orderly manner; their calmness shocking many viewers worldwide. However, if anything, it was the Japanese people that were the most surprised to witness this. Certainly, after experiencing such an enormous and terrifying attack by the earthquake and tsunamis, no one could stay so composed. From a Japanese perspective however, it seems like the victims felt that they needed to unite and stand together because they were so terrified and in such a critical state. I felt that this was not something particularly worth mentioning, but seeing all of the distressing news in the world media today, the courageous Japanese way of coping through a national tragedy seemed surprisingly unusual and unique.

    In June, I attended an assembly of washi toolmakers and technicians. After a long absence, I received an invitation to this gathering, where I was able to reunite with veteran toolmakers as well as meet people of the younger generation. With the never ending economic recession, the environment surrounding the toolmakers that support the handmade washi makers is becoming more and more severe. There are numerous tools that are indispensable to the washi production. However, toolmakers have decreased in number as they have become more labor-intensive over time. Lack of the demand and the challenges in productivity have caused the toolmakers to age, and many are finding it inevitable to start a side business. The same things can be said about the papermaking work field as well, but to the next generation working in the various paper villages, the problems lie deeper in the management aspects more than the technical. The production of handmade washi receives recognition and aids from the country and local governments for their efforts preserving tradition and promoting the washi industry. Nevertheless, handmade washi industries require help not only in production but also in cultivation of raw materials and tool making. Simply waiting for aid from the administration will not lead to any problem resolutions.From now on, the actions and efforts for the future of each washi maker, toolmaker and technician will attract a great deal of attention.

    Japan has lost an unfathomable amount of things due to the earthquake disaster, but at the same time, it feels as if we have regained things, small yet so precious to us. The victims and survivors have made the Japanese people aware of this such revelation. In such an unimaginably severe situation that the victims were coerced into, the Japanese people have united as one to support the survivors, who have never ever given up and persevered with much courage and dignity. Japan shall never give up. There is much than can be done by us Japanese people to help save the country we live in. I have come to realize that washi could very well be one of those many things that could keep Japan and the Japanese spirit alive.

 HASEGAWA SATOSHI
Maker of Usu-Mino, Hon-Mino, and Cho-chin

"Kochi Triennial Exhibition"

           The Kochi International Exhibition of Prints is the largest and most prestigious event promoting the beautiful washi made in Kochi prefecture taken place every three years. We celebrated the 8th opening this year,  since its first opening in 1990. Judging of all of the submitted prints was done on May 28th and 29th this  year. However, we were disappointed that this year attracted the least number of applications compared to the previous exhibitions which most likely was the result of the East Japan Earthquake tragedy. Kochi prefecture was not affected by this earthquake, but from a different perspective, many people around the word presumed that the exhibition would be cancelled this year. Even within Japan, many artists pondered whether this exhibition would take place, and hesitated to work on their art, feeling guilty for even considering applying for this exhibition when their country was in such a crucial state. In reality, within the submitted works, there were several prints that were dedicated to the victims of the earthquake disaster.

           The grand prize was awarded to an artist from Thailand, who submitted a fabulous mezzo-tint piece. All award-winning prints from the 1st exhibition to this year’s 8th can be seen on the Ino Town Japanese Paper Museum website. Out of the 164 award-winning prints, approximately 40% was done on washi, and out of those, 50% was Tosa washi. Also, it was very delightful to see that many of the other works around the world were done on paper made from mulberry. The exhibition will be held form October 8th until November 20th at the Ino Town Japanese Paper Museum.

TSUYOSHI AGETA
    Washi Ageta