Exhibition reorients traditional washi craft in the modern age

A recent exhibition, Washi and Life, explores the possibility of incorporating the traditional East Asian craft of washi, traditional Japanese paper, into the modern lifestyle.

The exhibition is comprised of five sections, themed after color, installation, life, video and raw material, respectively. Each delves into a use of washi.

Such an arrangement allows the exhibition to display the history and tradition of washi, including the raw materials of gampi, kozo, and mitsumata, alongside its modern utilization and multifunctional nature through design, home decor and art.

The installation area presents how the delicate paper can be used to make large-scale installation artworks. Made entirely of washi, the installation features layers of geometric clouds hanging in the air, with cartoon Akita dogs posing as characters from classical paintings sitting on top.