Old factory machinery (above) and Chiaki keeping an eye on our progress (below).

Adding lovely colourful things to our paper.

After the sheets have been pressed down they are separated for brushing.

Large brushes are used to smooth the sheets of damp paper onto boards to dry.

Whilst our paper lay in the sun to dry, we took a drive and enjoyed the local scenery.

Our papers almost dry and ready for taking home.

The best part was knowing we had made these papers from scratch with our own two hands. Learning the process was as rewarding as collecting our final pieces.

Kamo’s little shop of handmade washi works is filled with beautiful original pieces.

These washi baskets were my favourite things.

The Ogawa-machi Washi Teaching Centre is a pretty special place. I wrote a bit about its beginnings in part one but here are some more images to show you just how unique this place really is. The town itself is quite interesting and definitely worth wandering into. The scenery of nearby mountains and rivers is also spectacular. If you can hire a car or bike then you will really get to see everything this wonderful town has to offer.

If you’re interested in doing a workshop with Kamo, please email her over at washitaiken@au.wakwak.com

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