2-day immersive Japanese washi paper making in Kochi

【STORY】

In this immersive experience you will  hone your craftsman skills for 2 days at Tosawashi Inoue Tesuki Kobo atelier and will learn almost all steps of making quality Tosa washi paper. 

After arriving on Day 1, you will be welcomed by Mrs Inoue, the current 4th generation washi maker and will watch a video explanation of Tosa washi, focusing on the traditional handmade techniques and natural ingredients from Niyodo River basin. 

The experience will follow the steps of washi paper making starting from peeling the bark of kozo (paper mulberry), boiling the bark and preparing the gluing paste from the roots of tororoaoi (sunset hibiscus). During the breaks Mrs Inoue will introduce traditional art techniques that use Japanese washi paper such as “chigiri-e”. After a couple of hours of immersive craftsmanship you will have a break for a lunch and your guide will recommend a nearby local restaurant with a rich menu of Kochi delicacies. 

Continuing in the afternoon, you will wash off the kozo, remove any impurities from the soft bark and beat it with a wooden stick before you wrap up the day.

On Day 2, you will continue by using the pulp you created to make your own original Tosa washi paper. You will be able to choose between making a Tapestry hanging scroll or colored paper for origami. After a break with local tea and sweets, you will connect the washi you made with a short cultural experience – either a visit to a local Shinto shrine to collect its official stamp (on the hanging scroll you made) or a lesson in folding origami into sakura flowers (using the colored paper you made). This immersive course will deepen your understanding of Tosa washi paper and its value. 

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• 2-day immersive professional course to study in depth the traditional techniques of Japanese washi paper making
• Hone your skills under the guidance of a 4th generation craftsperson in a washi studio with over 120 years of history
• Follow  almost all steps of Tosa washi making with a focus on using natural ingredients in an environment-friendly way
• Connect your own made washi paper with a local cultural activity: a visit to a Shinto shrine for receiving its official stamp or a lesson in Japanese origami.
• Enjoy the quiet rural area near one of Japan’s clearest water basins: Niyodo River.

【SCHEDULE】

[10:00]　Arrive at Tosawashi Inoue Tesuki Kobo
[10:05]　Watch a video explanation about Tosa washi．Begin washi making: peel the bark of kozo, boil kozo, prepare the neri paste from tororoaoi (sunset hibiscus)
[12:30]　Rest for lunch                                                                             
[13:30]　Wash the kozo off the alkaline, remove impurities, beat the kozo
[15:30]　Revision of the process and preparation for Day 2

◆Day2
[10:00]　Arrive at Tosawashi Inoue Tesuki Kobo, Washi making (tamezuki) 
[12:00]　Rest for lunch   
[13:00]　Get your created Tapestry and visit Matsuo Hachimangu Shrine to have the shrine’s stamp (goshuin) on your paper
　　　　Get your colored washi and make origami sakura flowers
[14:30]　Local tea and sweets

・If you like to be picked up, please tell us in advance. In this case you will be asked to arrive at JR Ino Station 30 minutes before the start of the activity (9:30)
　Please indicate your request in the "Request" box on the reservation form.

・When booking this activity, please indicate if you would like to make paper for a shrine stamp (goshuin) or origami (sakura flowers).

・The guide will recommend a nearby local restaurant for your lunch.

・Tosawashi Inoue Tesuki Kobo does not have an accommodation facility. Please arrange your own accommodation.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：2 days 
• Meeting point：Tosawashi Inoue Tesuki Kobo　[MAP]
  2776 Otsu, Takaoka-cho, Tosa-shi, Kochi, 781-1102
  
• Access：
  ・By train: 15 minutes by car from Ino Station on the JR Dosan Line
  ・By car: Immediately after exiting Kochi Expressway Tosa IC
• Language support：Japanese, English (Optional)
• Included：
  ・Guide fee
  ・Activity fee
  ・Tea and snack
  ・Apron
・Shrine stamp (if you choose to make a Tapestry)
• Excluded：
  ・Lunch
  ・Interpreter fee (optional)
・Accommodation
• Clothes：We will give you an apron, but please note that your clothes might get a little wet 
• Free WI-FI：No
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style) 
• Other things to note：
  In this activity you will use a beating stick and a knife.
  Please carefully follow the safety instructions provided by the host.

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Until 72 hours before the experience start time: 0%
From 72 hours before the experience start time to start time: 100%
Cancellation after the experience has started or cancellation without contact: 100%