"Seiki Kikuchi"(菊池　正気）from Kami no Sato in Ibaraki

Do you know how many washi (Japanese paper) professionals are there in Japan?

Only 600 people at the moment but there were 200,000 in 1900.

Seiki Kikuchi is a washi professional and got the prize from the Emperor.

What do you think the professional work?

I think it is important for the professional workers the soul and belief for their works. He has strong soul and his own belief.

He expected he couldn't get the materials such as plants and glue, in the future, so he grew the materials by himself.

He doesn't use any machines. He keeps making it by hand and uses the 100% natural materials.

As you know, the machines can make the uniform quality easily, but he is particular about handmade and he believes in the power of washi.

Now, everything seems "paperless", but he still believes in paper's potential to keep using for various things.

I hope washi artists will collaborate with foreign artists and make something fantastic !

Kami no sato 紙のさと shops & studio

access: Tokyo-Mito JR Jyoban line express

Mito-Nakahunyu JR suigun line

2.5H ¥4,570

HP: http://www.e-consul.info/iba/hom/kns/

#Japanesepaper #Ibaraki #handmade #Professionalcraftsman #Washishop