Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

2018‐2021

Inbe no Sato Regional Vitalization Committee

Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

Greetings
Our fourth year of “Connecting the Community and the World̶The proposal for cultural exchange
centered around Awa handicrafts” has come to an end. Our activities centered on the Hall of Awa
Japanese Paper Museum (Awagami Factory), and our aim was to educate and pass on the tradition ofAwa washi paper. We have held workshops and lectures that make use of the versatility of handmade
washi paper by dyeing it with natural dyes, weaving it, and more.
Itʼs not to say that these sorts of techniques never existed in this region. On the contrary, traditional
weaving techniques using kozo are even used in the Daijo-sai (a special imperial ceremony held after
the enthronement of each new emperor), and as the area is also an ancient producer of sukumo(fermented and dried indigo leaves), the art of dyeing with indigo has been preserved through thegenerations here. We took on the challenge of rethinking and reconﬁguring these traditional arts
through the lens of washi paper. The local peopleʼs keen interest in pursuing this research enabled
them to improve with every iteration, and they were able to create opportunities to release their ﬁndings. By inviting experts to lecture and guide us, I think that everyone was able to deepen their understanding and improve their techniques.
The program comes to an end this year, but we have achieved a lot. We borrowed a classroom in theformer Kawata Elementary School building, and people have begun using small looms, weaving kudzu
vines, and making tafu (woven fabric made with kozo bark) and linen. People have also begun making
washi paper items dyed with indigo at the Awagami Factory. This program has served as the impetus
for a lot of great achievements. The guidebook we made about Yamakawa and the English database
about historical spots is also going to help with local vitalization once inbound visitors begin to visit
Yamakawa again after the pandemic.
Above all, many people encouraged us along the way. This project ends this year, but the Awagami
Factory will continue to ﬁnd opportunities to use washi with the local residents and vitalize our community. I humbly ask for everyoneʼs continued support. Thank you.

Yoichi Fujimori
ChairmanHall of Awa Japanese Paper Museum

Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

FY2018
Events held for cultural exchange and transmission（1）Making of washi as an art material, and related
education and information activities

1. Washi and traditional craft education
Target: 8 Naka Senior High Students, 14 Myozai Senior High Students
2. Washi and traditional craft introduction for non-Japanese people
Target: 46 people including Princeton University students
3. Lecture on craft, artistic value, and history of Awa washi paper andAwa ai indigo
Target: 39 participants from the general public（2）Making indigo to reproduce “Hiroshige Blue”

1. Indigo dyeing science lesson for elementary and junior high students
Target: 12 participants from the general public
2. Indigo dyeing history lesson for local residents
Target: 58 participants from the general public
3. Same as (1)3 listed above
Target: (same 39 people as (1) 3)（3）Consideration of locally produced washi paper andindigo, with perspectives from overseas and otherregions of Japan [responding to issues raised]
1. Perspectives from the next generation of traditional industry bearers(textiles, dyers)
Target: 12 participants from the general public
2. Perspectives from people researching indigo products around theworld
Target: Exhibition ‒ approx.400 participants from the general public
Lecture ‒ 45 participants from the general public
3. Perspectives from people making things with washi and indigo in
Tokushima
Target: Exhibition ‒ approx. 500 participants from the general public

Exhibition of indigo-dyed works in washi and textiles,
Whirlpools of Naruto Straits in Awa Prefecture reproduction exhibition
Oct 5‒Nov 25, 2018
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Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

FY2018Panel Discussion “Paper and Indigo and Cloth”
Oct 21, 2018
Instructor: Reiko Suda (Tokyo Zokei UniversityInstructor)

Indigo Workshop “Make a Brooch with IndigoCloth” Oct 14, 2018
Instructors:Toshie Ookura Toshie Tnaka

Lecture “Indigo Around the World” Nov 24,
2018
Instructor: Kazuyo Iseki (Osaka University ofArts Professor Emeritus)

Washi and Traditional Craft Introduction for Non-Japanese People
Princeton University (USA) Washi Workshop

2Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

FY2019（1）Gathering and cultivation of materials, andrelated education and information activities（2）Learn and enjoy weaving a variety of materials
1. -Workshop for local residents, general public
Target for Indigo Dyeing Workshop: Total 52 general participants-Exhibition for local residents, general publicTarget: Total 250 general participants-Lecture for local residents, general public
Lecture on history and production of hemp
Target: Total 138 general participants
2. -History of weaving class for local residents (lecture)
Weaving Class
Target: Total 93 general public participants

1. Workshop for local residents, general public
Education on washi and traditional crafts for high school students
Target: Including 21 Myozai High School Students
Education on washi and traditional crafts for university students
Target: Including 49 Kyoto City University of Arts Students
2. Washi, weaving etc. traditional craft introduction for non-Japanese
Target: 36 people including students from University of Wisconsin

Papermaking workshop for local high school students
and non-Japanese people

Weaving class

Lecture on history and production of hemp
‒ Feb 15, 2020

Washi ingredient: Cultivationand harvest of kozo
3“[Learn about Awa ‒ Special Lecture]
Tell Us Again about Hemp!”‒ Feb 15, 2020

Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

FY2019Visiting Awa handicrafts ‒ The town
where washi and indigo meet
̶Tafu, aratae, and more: Local
textile history̶ March 1‒29, 2020

University of Wisconsin Handmade Washi Workshop4

Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

FY2020（1）Passing on the art of Awa washi paper

1. Workshops held for local residents and the general public-Pruning Workshops (Jun 28, Jul 12, Jul 19) Target: Total 45 general participants-Kozo Harvest Workshops (Dec 5, Dec 6, Jan 16, Jan 17) Target: Total 58 general participants-Washi and traditional craft education for elementary school students. Target: Elementary students from Tokushima Prefecture, Yoshinogawa Cityarea: approx. 50 students-Washi and traditional craft education for high school students. Target: High school students from Tokushima prefecture: approx. 20 students-Washi and traditional craft education for university students. Target: Joshibi Junior College of Art and Design: approx. 20 students
2. Traditional crafts (washi, weaving, etc.) introduction for non-Japanese people

Pruning Workshop‒ Jun 28, Jul 12, Jul 19, 2020

Washi and traditional craft
workshop for elementaryschool students

Kozo Harvest Workshop ‒ Dec 5‒6, 2020 / Jan 16‒17, 2021

Washi and traditional craft workshop for high school students

Washi and traditional craft workshop
for university school students
5Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

FY2020（2）Learn and enjoy weaving a variety of materials

1. Workshops, exhibition, and lecture for local residents and the general public-Held events at central facility and nearby area (former Kawata Elementary School,Yoshinogawa City Amenity Center, etc.)
Weaving classes (held 14 times) target: Total of 154 general participants
2. Exhibition for local residents and the general public
Weaving work exhibition (Feb 14 to Mar 31)
Target: Total of 180 general participants
3. Lecture for local residents and the general public
Lecture to learn about Awa indigo and handicrafts (Feb 14)
Target: Total of 57 general participants
Weaving Workshop Instructor Mihoko Abe / Yoshinogawa City Community
Reactivating Cooperator Squad member Kiri Honda held “Shifu workshop ̶ Stepsto the future”( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59aIQDGwVKg).Participants asked lots ofquestions and tried weaving shifu.
- Lecture by Takahito Uyama, Chairman of the Yoshinogawa City Cultural Heritage
Protection Council（https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4jH63akQf0）
In this lecture, participants learned to see Awa indigo in a new light by gaining
knowledge and history that previously was only available in books.
Lecture about doroai from Jun Yoshihara, from Tokushima College of Agriculture（https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbjScXU41lA）
In this lecture, participants learned about Awa indigo from a scientiﬁc perspective.

Held events at central facility and nearby area
(former Kawata Elementary School, Yoshinogawa City Amenity Center, etc.)

Dyeing using fresh leaves“Shifu workshop
̶ Steps to the future”

Lecture by Takahito Uyama,
Chairman of the Yoshinogawa City
Cultural Heritage Protection Council

Lecture about doroai(indigo paste made from fresh indigo leaves)from Jun Yoshihara,from Tokushima College of Agriculture

Weaving Class (held 14 times)

Indigo ﬁeld (harvesting indigo leaves)

Reconstruction and demonstration of a Kito Village weaving loom6

Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

FY2021（1）Passing on the art of Awa handmade washi paper and information activities
1. Workshops for local residents and the general public
Pruning workshop (Jul 3, 17) Target: Total 5 general participantsKozo Harvest Workshop (Dec 11‒12, Jan 15‒16) Target: Total 26 general participants
Washi photo panel workshop (Feb 11) Target: Total 7 general participants

Pruned kozo to reduce damageand ensure it grows straight

Harvested grown kozo
and peeled the bark

Heard a lecture on making washi prints,
and made panels

2. Introducing washi, weaving and more traditional handicrafts to non-JapaneseHandmade washi workshop (Jul 14‒18) Target: 3 general participantsParticipants learned to prepare raw materials for washi, make the washi, and dye it. Dueto the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were few participants, but they wereable to deepen their understanding and increase their interest in washi.

3. Lectures for local residents, general participants.(lecture)
Lecture event “Mini Print Artist Talk” Oct 9: 51 general participants
Lecture event “Folk art philosophy and innovations in textile dyeing and design crafts”
Jan 29: 32 general participants

Exhibitors were connected to the washi print exhibition
venue online, where a critique and lecture was held.

（2）Washi and textile dyeing: Enjoy and learn about textile dyeing with a variety of materials
1. Workshops, exhibition, lecture held for local residents and general participants- Held events at central facility and nearby area (former Kawata Elementary School,
Yoshinogawa City Amenity Center, etc.)
Weaving class (14 classes total) Target: Total 154 general participants

Seeds harvested the previous year
were grown, and raised until seeds
could be harvested.

Participants made paper thread to use for weaving, and wove fabric.
Participants were able to deepen their knowledge about shifu (paper cloth).
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Connecting the Community and the World〜The proposal for cultural exchange centered around Awa handicrafts〜

FY2021
2. Exhibition with local residents and general participants (exhibition)
Group work exhibition (Jun 12-23) Target: Total 53 general participants
Indigo-dyed work exhibition (Nov 12 ‒ Dec 8) Target: Total 190 general participants
Shifu workshop exhibition (Mar 13-31) Target: Expected to have a total of 133 general participants

27 artists exhibited mainly works
made of washi.

Stoles and other items dyed in theworkshop were exhibited.

Works were exhibited as a wind-up to theshifu workshops,

3. Lecture event for local residents and general participants (lecture)
Shifu workshop exhibition gallery talk (Mar 13) Target: 27 general participants

As the culmination of a year of workshop activities, there was an exhibition and a lecture was given on the origin of the classes,details about the activities, and detailed information about the completed works.

（3）Supported by nature, supported by the community

1. Fieldwork by local residents and general participants. (Fieldwork)
Fieldwork (traversing Mt. Kotsu ‒ Jan 24) Target: 3 general participants
Fieldwork (community walk ‒ Mar 6) Target: 17 general participantsParticipants were able to deepen understanding of nature and historical sites in the community, and re-connect with the heritage of thecommunity, creating an opportunity for cultural exchange between local residents and tourists.
2. Lecture for local residents and general participants. (Lecture)
Lecture (The diverse plant life on the Mt. Kotsu range ‒ Oct 23) Target: 31 general participants
Lecture (Report on winter Mt. Kotsu ﬁeldwork ‒ Feb 16) Target: 16 general participants

3. Translation of information about local history and culturalproperties into multiple languages (multilingualization)
A map pointing out points of interest relating to Awa washi(local historical sites and a sightseeing map in severallanguages) was created and distributed: 1000 copies

Participants were able to deepen their knowledge about the plants
growing naturally on the local Mt. Kotsu range that can be used
for making paper and dyeing, creating an opportunity to encounterthe wisdom, ingenuity, and lifestyles of our ancestors.
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