和紙 Washi: The Artistic Spirit of Japanese Paper

Washi (和紙, ‘Japanese paper’) is highly regarded for its strength, versatility and beauty. These attributes have given it a central role in the domestic, religious and artistic life of Japan for over 1400 years, and seen paper take pride of place in temples and shrines, in palaces and homes, and in schools and workplaces.

featuring works by artists Hiroko Imada (l), Elaine Cooper (c) and Kuniko Maeda (r)

Typically, washi is made from bast fibres found in Japan in a process utilising the clean water of the country’s rivers and streams. The fibres found in shrubs such as kōzo, mitsumata and gampi are longer than those found in wood pulp, giving it durable and translucent qualities which allow for a wide range of items to be made. While the origins of papermaking was primarily associated with religious and administrative uses, washi has evolved to become more than just a mere surface for artistic expresson and is used in paper screens, lanterns, umbrellas and even as an important resource for conservation.

Calligraphy by Aya Burbanks and origami by Claire Faulkes, British Origami Society

Although many modern challenges face those working with paper, including environmental and social changes, this exhibition aims to prove that there still is an astonishing array of washi and its continued influence, inside and outside of Japan, is undeniable.